Involved in translational control mechanisms operating in early stages of oogenesis. Required maternally in many stages of oogenesis, including cystocyte differentiation, oocyte differentiation, and specification of anterior-posterior polarity in the developing cysts. Essential for the formation and/or structural integrity of perinuclear nuage particles during germ cell formation. ATP + H2O = ADP + H(+) + phosphate Component of the meiotic nuage, also named P granule, a germ-cell-specific organelle required to repress transposon activity during meiosis. Later seen in the pole plasm at the posterior end of the oocyte as a component of polar granules (By similarity). Localized to the cytoplasm of the oocyte throughout oogenesis (PubMed:16955407). Expressed in ovaries and testis. Not expressed in somatic tissue of the ovaries including follicle cells, muscle and connective tissue. First detected in oogonia cells and highly expressed in late vitellogenic oocytes during oogenesis. Belongs to the DEAD box helicase family. DDX4/VASA subfamily.