 This protein is needed to move a molecule called ornithine within the mitochondria (the energy-producing centers in cells).Specifically, this protein transports ornithine across the inner membrane of mitochondria to the region called the mitochondrial matrix, where it participates in the urea cycle.Mutations in the "SLC25A15" gene result in a mitochondrial ornithine transporter that is unstable or the wrong shape, and which cannot bring ornithine to the mitochondrial matrix.