Regulates mitochondrial shape through facilitating mitochondrial fusion. During spermatogenesis, plays a critical role in PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) biogenesis. piRNAs provide essential protection ag...[+]

Regulates mitochondrial shape through facilitating mitochondrial fusion. During spermatogenesis, plays a critical role in PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) biogenesis. piRNAs provide essential protection against the activity of mobile genetic elements. piRNA-mediated transposon silencing is thus critical for maintaining genome stability, in particular in germline cells when transposons are mobilized as a consequence of wide-spread genomic demethylation. Has been shown to be a backbone-non-specific, single strand-specific nuclease, cleaving either RNA or DNA substrates with similar affinity. Produces 5' phosphate and 3' hydroxyl termini, suggesting it could directly participate in the processing of primary piRNA transcripts. Has been proposed to act as a cardiolipin hydrolase to generate phosphatidic acid at mitochondrial surface. Although it cannot be excluded that it can act as a phospholipase in some circumstances, this activity could not be confirmed. [-]

ClinVar, ClinGen, MalaCards, KEGG Disease, DECIPHER, COSMIC, MARRVEL, GTR, DisGeNET, dbVAR, GHR, gnomAD