Proposed to be involved in regulation of apoptosis; the exact mechanism may differ between cell types/tissues. May be involved in hypoxia-induced cell death of transformed cells implicating cytochrome C release and caspase activation (such as CASP9) and inducing mitochondrial permeability transition. May be involved in hypoxia-induced cell death of neuronal cells probably by promoting release of AIFM1 from mitochondria to cytoplasm and its translocation to the nucleus; however, the involvement of caspases has been reported conflictingly. Interacts with HSP90AB1; HSP90AB1 is essential for FAM162A mitochondrial localization and pro-apoptotic activity. Interacts with VDAC2; the interaction is probably involved in inducing mitochondrial permeability transition. Belongs to the UPF0389 family.