Plays a role in RNA-mediated gene silencing by both micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) ( , ). Required for miRNA-dependent translational repression and siRNA-dependent endonucleolytic cleavage of complementary mRNAs by argonaute family proteins ( , ). As scaffolding protein associates with argonaute proteins bound to partially complementary mRNAs and simultaneously can recruit CCR4-NOT and PAN deadenylase complexes .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, P-body
Mammalian P-bodies are also known as GW bodies (GWBs).