Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables RNA binding activity; RNA endonuclease activity; and polysome binding activity. Involved in several processes, including germ-line stem cell population maintenance; regulation of gene expression; and retrotransposon silencing. Acts upstream of with a positive effect on piRNA-mediated retrotransposon silencing by heterochromatin formation. Acts upstream of or within positive regulation of meiosis I. Located in several cellular components, including cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granule; dense body; and perinucleolar chromocenter. Part of PET complex. Is expressed in central nervous system; genitourinary system; and sensory organ. Orthologous to human PIWIL2 (piwi like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2).