Involved in nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) of mRNAs containing premature stop codons. Is recruited by release factors to stalled ribosomes together with smg1 and smg9 (forming the SMG1C protein kinase complex) and, in the SMG1C complex, is required to mediate the recruitment of smg1 to the ribosome:SURF complex and to suppress smg1 kinase activity until the ribosome:SURF complex locates the exon junction complex (EJC). Acts as a regulator of kinase activity (By similarity). Component of the SMG1C complex composed of smg1, smg8 and smg9. Belongs to the SMG8 family.