The function of GPR179 (G protein-coupled receptor 179, ENSG00000277399) is as follows. Orphan receptor involved in vision (PubMed:22325362, PubMed:24084093). Required for signal transduction through retinal depolarizing bipolar cells (PubMed:22325362). Acts as an atypical G protein-coupled receptor that recruits and regulates the R7 group RGS- GNB5 complexes instead of activating G proteins: promotes the GTPase activator activity of R7 RGS proteins, increasing the GTPase activity of G protein alpha subunits, thereby driving them into their inactive GDP-bound form (By similarity). Associates with components of metabotropic signaling cascade in retina ON-bipolar neurons, such as TRPM1 and GRM6: may control the ability of the GRM6 cascade to gate TRPM1 (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:E9PY61, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22325362, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24084093}.