RNA-binding protein, which is essential for gametogenesis in both males and females. Plays a central role during spermatogenesis. Acts by binding to the 3'-UTR of mRNA, specifically recognizing GUU triplets, and thereby regulating the translation of key transcripts. Homodimer and heterodimer. Forms a heterodimer with DAZ. Interacts with BOLL, DAZAP1 and DAZAP2. Interacts with PUM2 (By similarity). Multiple DAZL RRMs can bind to a single RNA containing multiple GUU triplets. Expressed predominantly in testis with lower levels in ovary. In testis, it is expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and at lower level in type-B spermatogonia, preleptotene and zygotene spermatocytes. In ovary, it is expressed in maturing follicles. In embryonic and prepuberal ovary, it is expressed in the oocyte and follicular cells. In the testis, expression increases steadily after birth until the first spermatogonial cells appear, levels off as the first spermatogenic cells enter meiosis (10 days after birth) and remains at this level thereafter. The DAZ domain mediates the interaction with DAZAP1 and DAZAP2. Belongs to the RRM DAZ family.