Forms part of the erh1-mmi1 complex that recruits the CCR4-NOT complex and the NURS complex to target RNAs (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569, PubMed:31974447). Suppresses the meiotic program during vegetative growth and promotes the meiotic program during mating (PubMed:31974447). Recruitment of the NURS complex to target mRNAs promotes mRNA decay by engagement of the nuclear exosome, and formation of heterochromatin islands at meiotic genes silenced by the exosome (PubMed:26942678). Recruitment of the CCR4-NOT complex to target RNAs promotes heterochromatin formation at RNAi-dependent heterochromatin domains (HOODs), including a subset of meiotic genes, lncRNAs and retrotransposons (PubMed:26942678). Recruitment of the CCR4-NOT complex to rDNA promotes rDNA heterochromatin assembly (PubMed:26942678). Homodimer (PubMed:30651569, PubMed:31974447). Component of the erh1-mmi1 complex (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569). Interacts with mmi1 (via N-terminus) in a 2:2 stoichiometry (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569, PubMed:31974447). Localizes to chromatin regions during vegetative growth, localizes to mei2 nuclear dots during meiosis. Abnormal poly(A)-site selection of ssm4 (PubMed:30651569). Decreases degradation of mRNA containing a DSR (determinant of selective removal) region (PubMed:26942678). Increases levels of mating and meiosis specific transcripts (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569, PubMed:31974447). Increases expression of ncRNAs responsive to environmental and developmental signals (PubMed:30651569). Decreases expression of antisense RNAs, intergenic RNAs, tRNAs and 5S rRNA (PubMed:30651569). Decreases heterochromatin formation at meiotic heterochromatin islands (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569). Decreases heterochromatin formation at rDNA (PubMed:26942678). Decreases mating efficiency (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569). Decreases vegetative cell population growth (PubMed:23145069, PubMed:26942678, PubMed:31974447). Sensitive to cold (PubMed:26942678, PubMed:30651569, PubMed:31974447). Sensitive to sorbitol (PubMed:23145069). Sensitive to hydroxyurea (PubMed:23145069). Sensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate (PubMed:23145069). Normal growth at high temperature (PubMed:30651569). Curved vegetative cell (PubMed:23145069). Increases cell cycle arrest in mitotic G1 phase in response to nitrogen starvation (PubMed:23145069). Abolishes mei2 nuclear dot formation (PubMed:26942678). Simultaneous deletion of mei4 suppresses cold sensitivity (PubMed:26942678). Belongs to the E(R) family.