Probable GTPase that plays a role in the mitochondrial ribosomal small subunit assembly. Specifically binds the 12S mitochondrial rRNA (12S mt-rRNA) to a 33 nucleotide section delineating the 3' terminal stem-loop region. May act as a chaperone that protects the 12S mt-rRNA on the 28S mitoribosomal subunit during ribosomal small subunit assembly. Localizes on the matrix side on the mitochondrial inner membrane. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. May be produced at very low levels due to a premature stop codon in the mRNA, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Belongs to the TRAFAC class TrmE-Era-EngA-EngB-Septin-like GTPase superfamily. Era GTPase family. Extended N-terminus.