Catalyzes the phosphorolytic breakdown of the N-glycosidic bond in the beta-(deoxy)ribonucleoside molecules, with the formation of the corresponding free purine bases and pentose-1-phosphate (, ). Preferentially acts on 6-oxopurine nucleosides including inosine and guanosine .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm
Expressed in red blood cells; overexpressed in red blood cells (cytoplasm) of patients with hereditary non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology.