RNA binding protein that is required for normal cell division and cytokinesis during embryonic development (PubMed:19081077, PubMed:27689799). Functions with RNA-binding protein atx-2 to ensure embryonic cell division, and to this end, plays a role in the regulation of centrosome assembly, position and size, and in astral microtubule outgrowth and nucleation (PubMed:19081077, PubMed:27689799). Furthermore, negatively regulates the levels of the protein kinase zyg-1 at the centrosome (PubMed:19081077, PubMed:27689799). Also involved in ensuring centrosome attachment to the nuclear envelope (PubMed:19081077). Interacts (via C-terminus) with atx-2 (via C-terminus); the interaction is RNA independent (PubMed:27689799). Interacts with let-92 (PubMed:21497766). Co-localizes with atx-2 in the cytoplasm. Co-localizes with sas-4 at centrioles. Localizes to nucleoli during interphase and to the surface of chromosomes during meiosis and mitosis. Localizes in puncta adjacent to the male pronucleus at the centrosome during meiosis. Localization at the centrosome peaks at prometaphase and metaphase, but then decreases and expression is at its most minimal during interphase. Expressed during embryonic development. The C-terminal part is necessary for interaction with atx-2. The SUZ domain is necessary for RNA binding. Phosphorylated. May be dephosphorylated by let-92. Temperature-sensitive with embryonic lethality at 25 degrees Celsius. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in 10% embryonic lethality at 20 degrees Celsius and 90% embryonic lethality at 25 degrees Celsius due to cell division and cytokinesis defects including centrosome duplication and attachment defects, and failed bipolar spindle formation in embryos. RNAi-mediated knockdown in a zyg-20 (it25) mutant background results in suppression of the embryonic lethality phenotype in the zyg-1 single mutant at 24 degrees Celsius.