Plays a role in RNA-mediated gene silencing by both micro-RNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Required for miRNA-dependent repression of translation and for siRNA-dependent endonucleolytic cleavage of complementary mRNAs by argonaute family proteins. As a scaffolding protein, associates with argonaute proteins bound to partially complementary mRNAs, and can simultaneously recruit CCR4-NOT and PAN deadenylase complexes. Interacts with AGO2 (PubMed:16284623, PubMed:16284622, PubMed:18690212, PubMed:19304925, PubMed:19324964, PubMed:19383768). Interacts with AGO1, AGO3 and AGO4 (PubMed:19324964, PubMed:19383768). Interacts with CNOT1; the interaction is direct and mediates the association with the CCR4-NOT complex (PubMed:21981923). Interacts with ZC3H12A (PubMed:26134560). Interacts with SND1 (PubMed:28546213). Interacts with GARRE1 (PubMed:29395067). Mammalian P-bodies are also known as GW bodies (GWBs). Ubiquitous. By exogenous short interfering RNA (siRNA). The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Antibodies against TNRC6A are found in sera from patients with Sjoegren syndrome (SS), ataxia and sensor neuropathy diseases that developed autoantibodies against protein of the GWB structure. Autoantibodies were mapped to the GW-rich mid-part, the non-GW-rich region and the C-terminus of the protein. Belongs to the GW182 family. Truncated N-terminus. Extended N-terminus.