Cotranslational quality control factor involved in the No-Go Decay (NGD) pathway. In the presence of ABCE1 and HBS1L, is required for 48S complex formation from 80S ribosomes and dissociation of vacant 80S ribosomes. Together with HBS1L and in presence of ABCE1, recognizes stalled ribosomes and promotes dissociation of elongation complexes assembled on non-stop mRNAs; this triggers endonucleolytic cleavage of the mRNA, a mechanism to release non-functional ribosomes and to degrade damaged mRNAs as part of the No-Go Decay (NGD) pathway. As part of the PINK1-regulated signaling, upon mitochondrial damage is recruited to the ribosome/mRNA-ribonucleoprotein complex associated to mitochondrial outer membrane thereby enabling the recruitment of autophagy receptors and induction of mitophagy. Interacts with PINK1, ABCE1 and CNOT4. The N-terminal domain has the RNA-binding Sm fold. It harbors the endoribonuclease activity. Belongs to the eukaryotic release factor 1 family. Pelota subfamily.