Recombinant P granule abnormality protein 1 (pgl-1), partial

Guanyl-specific endoribonuclease which cleaves the phosphodiester bond in single-stranded RNA between the 3'-guanylic residue and the 5'-OH residue of adjacent nucleotide, resulting in the formation of a corresponding 2',3'-cyclic phosphate intermediate. Together with the P-granule component pgl-3, is involved in the formation of P-granules. Together with pgl-3, probably recruits other granule components such as pos-1, mex-3 and glh-1 to P-granules. In addition, may act redundantly with pgl-3 to protect germ cells from excessive germline apoptosis during normal oogenesis and development of the two gonadal arms. This may in part be through regulating the localization of sir-2.1 which is involved in germ cell apoptosis. May protect somatic cells from excessive apoptosis during normal development. Essential role in male and female postembryonic germline development; maternally provided protein maintains a population of proliferating germ cells and zygotic expression is required for correct oogenesis.