Possesses single-stranded DNA-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent DNA helicase (3' to 5') activity; hexamerization is thought to be critical for ATP hydrolysis and adjacent subunits in the ring-like structure contribute to the ATPase activity (PubMed:17157868, PubMed:33205750). Component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex which is involved in transcriptional activation of select genes principally by acetylation of nucleosomal histones H4 and H2A (PubMed:14966270). This modification may both alter nucleosome-DNA interactions and promote interaction of the modified histones with other proteins which positively regulate transcription (PubMed:14966270). This complex may be required for the activation of transcriptional programs associated with oncogene and proto-oncogene mediated growth induction, tumor suppressor mediated growth arrest and replicative senescence, apoptosis, and DNA repair (PubMed:14966270). The NuA4 complex ATPase and helicase activities seem to be, at least in part, contributed by the association of RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 with EP400. NuA4 may also play a direct role in DNA repair when recruited to sites of DNA damage (PubMed:14966270). Component of a SWR1-like complex that specifically mediates the removal of histone H2A.Z/H2AZ1 from the nucleosome (PubMed:24463511). Proposed core component of the chromatin remodeling INO80 complex which exhibits DNA- and nucleosome-activated ATPase activity and catalyzes ATP-dependent nucleosome sliding (PubMed:16230350, PubMed:21303910). Plays an essential role in oncogenic transformation by MYC and also modulates transcriptional activation by the LEF1/TCF1-CTNNB1 complex (PubMed:10882073, PubMed:16014379). Essential for cell proliferation (PubMed:14506706). May be able to bind plasminogen at cell surface and enhance plasminogen activation (PubMed:11027681). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Forms homohexameric rings (PubMed:33205750). Can form a dodecamer with RUVBL2 made of two stacked hexameric rings; however, even though RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 are present in equimolar ratio, the oligomeric status of each hexamer is not known (PubMed:33205750). Oligomerization may regulate binding to nucleic acids and conversely, binding to nucleic acids may affect the dodecameric assembly. Interaction of the complex with DHX34 results in conformational changes of the N-terminus of the RUVBL2 subunits, resulting in loss of nucleotide binding ability and ATP hydrolysis of the complex (PubMed:33205750). Interacts with the transcriptional activation domain of MYC. Component of the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme complex. May also act to bridge the LEF1/TCF1-CTNNB1 complex and TBP. Component of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase complex which contains the catalytic subunit KAT5/TIP60 and the subunits EP400, TRRAP/PAF400, BRD8/SMAP, EPC1, DMAP1/DNMAP1, RUVBL1/TIP49, RUVBL2, ING3, actin, ACTL6A/BAF53A, MORF4L1/MRG15, MORF4L2/MRGX, MRGBP, YEATS4/GAS41, VPS72/YL1 and MEAF6. The NuA4 complex interacts with MYC and the adenovirus E1A protein. RUVBL1 interacts with EP400. Component of a NuA4-related complex which contains EP400, TRRAP/PAF400, SRCAP, BRD8/SMAP, EPC1, DMAP1/DNMAP1, RUVBL1/TIP49, RUVBL2, actin, ACTL6A/BAF53A, VPS72 and YEATS4/GAS41. Component of the BAF53 complex, at least composed of ACTL6A/BAF53A, RUVBL1/TIP49, SMARCA2/BRM, and TRRAP/PAF400. Component of some MLL1/MLL complex, at least composed of the core components KMT2A/MLL1, ASH2L, HCFC1/HCF1, WDR5 and RBBP5, as well as the facultative components BAP18, CHD8, E2F6, HSP70, INO80C, KANSL1, LAS1L, MAX, MCRS1, MGA, MYST1/MOF, PELP1, PHF20, PRP31, RING2, RUVB1/TIP49A, RUVB2/TIP49B, SENP3, TAF1, TAF4, TAF6, TAF7, TAF9 and TEX10. Associates with alpha and gamma tubulins, particularly during metaphase and early anaphase. Interacts with NPAT. Component of the chromatin-remodeling INO80 complex; specifically part of a complex module associated with the helicase ATP-binding and the helicase C-terminal domain of INO80. Interacts with IGHMBP2. Interacts with OFD1. Interacts with HINT1. Component of a complex with USP49 and PSMC5. Component of a SWR1-like complex. Component of the R2TP complex composed at least of RUVBL1, RUVBL2, RPAP3 and PIHD1 (PubMed:20864032). Component of the PAQosome complex which is responsible for the biogenesis of several protein complexes and which consists of R2TP complex members RUVBL1, RUVBL2, RPAP3 and PIH1D1, URI complex members PFDN2, PFDN6, PDRG1, UXT and URI1 as well as ASDURF, POLR2E and DNAAF10/WDR92 (PubMed:31738558). Interacts with PIH1D1 (PubMed:17636026). Interacts with ITFG1 (PubMed:25437307). Interacts with WAC; WAC positively regulates MTOR activity by promoting the assembly of the TTT complex composed of TELO2, TTI1 and TTI2 and the RUVBL complex composed of RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 into the TTT-RUVBL complex which leads to the dimerization of the mTORC1 complex and its subsequent activation (PubMed:26812014). The RUVBL1/RUVBL2 complex interacts with ZNHIT1 (via HIT-type zinc finger), ZNHIT3 (via HIT-type zinc finger), ZNHIT6 (via HIT-type zinc finger) and DDX59/ZNHIT5 (via HIT-type zinc finger) in the presence of ADP (PubMed:28561026). Interacts with NOPCHAP1; the interaction is direct and disrupted upon ATP binding (PubMed:33367824). Interacts with SMG1 (PubMed:33205750). Mainly localized in the nucleus, associated with nuclear matrix or in the nuclear cytosol, although it is also present in the cytoplasm and associated with the cell membranes. In prophase and prometaphase it is located at the centrosome and the branching microtubule spindles. After mitotic nuclear membrane disintigration it accumulates at the centrosome and sites of tubulin polymerization. As cells pass through metaphase and into telophase it is located close to the centrosome at the early phase of tubulin polymerization. In anaphase it accumulates at the zone of tubule interdigitation. In telophase it is found at polar tubule overlap, and it reappears at the site of chromosomal decondensation in the daughter cells. Ubiquitously expressed with high expression in heart, skeletal muscle and testis. Binding to MYC is dependent on a Myc domain essential for oncogenic activity. High level of autoantibodies against RUVBL1 are detected in sera of patients with autoimmune diseases such as polymyositis/dermatomyosistis and autoimmune hepatitis. Belongs to the RuvB family.