Plays a role in mitotic cell cycle progression and is involved in kinetochore assembly and mitotic sister chromatid cohesion. Probably through its association with CBX5 plays a role in mitotic chromosome segregation by regulating aurora kinase B/AURKB activation and AURKB and CBX5 dissociation from chromosome arms (PubMed:20562864). Promotes the repair of DNA double-strand breaks through the homologous recombination pathway (PubMed:26721387). Interacts with CBX1, CBX3, MAD2L2 and CHAMP1. Interacts with CBX5; POGZ competes with PXVXL motif-containing proteins such as INCENP and TRIM28 for interaction with CBX5. Interacts (via IBM motif) with PSIP1 isoform 1 (via IBD domain); phosphorylation increases its affinity for PSIP1 (PubMed:19244240, PubMed:25082813, PubMed:29997176). Interacts with HDGFL2 (PubMed:26721387). According to some authors, it is not localized to mitotic chromatin (PubMed:19244240). Recruited to trimethylated 'Lys-9' of histone H3 (H3K9me3). Phosphorylation increases its interaction with PSIP1. Defects in POGZ may be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), bipolar affective disorders and early dementia onset. ASD are characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interaction and communication as well as restricted and stereotyped patterns of interest and activities. ASD include forms with moderate to severe cognitive impairment and milder forms with higher cognitive ability (Asperger syndrome). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Extended N-terminus.