Chromatin-interacting protein that forms a stable heterodimer with interleukin enhancer-binding factor 3/ILF3 and plays a role in several biological processes including transcription, innate immunity or cell growth (PubMed:18458058, PubMed:31212927). Essential for the efficient reshuttling of ILF3 (isoform 1 and isoform 2) into the nucleus. Together with ILF3, forms an RNA-binding complex that is required for mitotic progression and cytokinesis by regulating the expression of a cluster of mitotic genes. Mechanistically, competes with STAU1/STAU2-mediated mRNA decay (PubMed:32433969). Also plays a role in the inhibition of various viruses including Japanese encephalitis virus or enterovirus 71. (Microbial infection) Plays a positive role in HIV-1 virus production by binding to and thereby stabilizing HIV-1 RNA, together with ILF3. Forms heterodimers with ILF3 (PubMed:18458058). ILF2-ILF3 heterodimers may also bind to PRKDC/XRCC7: this may stabilize the interaction of PRKDC/XRCC7 and the heterodimeric complex of G22P1/KU70 and XRCC5/KU80. Forms a complex with ILF3, YLPM1, KHDRBS1, RBMX, NCOA5 and PPP1CA. Identified in a IGF2BP1-dependent mRNP granule complex containing untranslated mRNAs. Interacts with IGF2BP1. Interacts with CRBN; this interaction promotes ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of ILF2 (PubMed:33009960). (Microbial infection) Interacts with Japanese encephalitis virus protein NS3. (Microbial infection) Interacts with enterovirus 71 protein 2B; this interaction relocalizes ILF2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Localized in cytoplasmic mRNP granules containing untranslated mRNAs. Ubiquitinated at Lys-45 by CRBN with polyubiquitin chains by the CUL4-RING E3 ligase (CRL4-CRBN) and then degraded by the proteasome. Chimeric cDNA.