Involved in the processing of the 5'-end of pre-16S rRNA during 70S ribosome maturation (processing does not occur on total cellular RNA off the ribosome); may be a nuclease (PubMed:25545592). A temperature-sensitive yqgF mutant no longer grows when Rho or NusA are overproduced, and has reduced transcription of genes encoded downstream of Rho terminators; transcription increases again in the presence of the Rho inhibitor bicylomycin (PubMed:22353788). Monomer. Essential, it cannot be disrupted. Belongs to the YqgF nuclease family. Was originally suggested to be a nuclease that resolves Holliday junction intermediates during genetic recombination. Extended N-terminus.