Possesses single-stranded DNA-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent DNA helicase (5' to 3') activity suggesting a role in nuclear processes such as recombination and transcription (By similarity). May participate in several chromatin remodeling complexes that mediate the ATP-dependent exchange of histones and remodel chromatin by shifting nucleosomes (By similarity). Involvement in these complexes is likely required for transcriptional activation of selected genes and DNA repair in response to DNA damage (By similarity). Has a role in gonadal development (PubMed:25437307). Involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway where it negatively regulates expression of ER stress response genes (PubMed:25652260). Specifically, negatively controls the expression of ER homeostasis regulator ckb-2 in a cdc-48.1/2-dependent manner (PubMed:25652260). ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Forms homohexameric rings. May form a dodecamer with ruvb-1 made of two stacked hexameric rings. Expressed in gonadal cells. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in gonadal detachment during gonad migration (PubMed:25437307). RNAi-mediated knockdown upon tunicamycin-induced ER stress in a cdc-48.1 and/or cdc-48.2 mutant background (insensitive to tunicamycin-induced ER stress) restores the expression of ER homeostasis regulator, ckb-2 (PubMed:25652260). Belongs to the RuvB family.