RNA-binding protein implicated in numerous RNA metabolic processes. Catalyzes the phosphorolysis of single-stranded polyribonucleotides processively in the 3-to-5 direction. Mitochondrial intermembrane factor with RNA-processing exoribonulease activity. Component of the mitochondrial degradosome (mtEXO) complex, that degrades 3 overhang double-stranded RNA with a 3-to-5 directionality in an ATP-dependent manner. Required for correct processing and polyadenylation of mitochondrial mRNAs. Plays a role as a cytoplasmic RNA import factor that mediates the translocation of small RNA components, like the 5S RNA, the RNA subunit of ribonuclease P and the mitochondrial RNA-processing (MRP) RNA, into the mitochondrial matrix. Plays a role in mitochondrial morphogenesis and respiration, regulates the expression of the electron transport chain (ETC) components at the mRNA and protein levels. In the cytoplasm, shows a 3-to-5 exoribonuclease mediating mRNA degradation activity, degrades c-myc mRNA upon treatment with IFNB1/IFN-beta, resulting in a growth arrest in melanoma cells. Regulates the stability of specific mature miRNAs in melanoma cells, specifically and selectively degrades miR-221, preferentially. Plays also a role in RNA cell surveillance by cleaning up oxidized RNAs. Binds to the RNA subunit of ribonuclease P, MRP RNA and miR-221 microRNA.
