May act as a helicase that plays a role in RNA metabolism in multiple tissues and organs within the developing embryo. Interacts with SMYD2 (By similarity). Interacts with POLR2A. Interacts with SMYD3; the interaction may bridge SMYD3 and RNA polymerase II. Expressed predominantly in thymus and brain. Expression is down-regulated in 28 of 95 tested cancer cell lines. Belongs to the DNA2/NAM7 helicase family.