Component of the pid-1 and tost-1 variants of the PETISCO complexes, which have roles in the biogenesis of a class of 21 nucleotide PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that possess a uracil residue at the 5'-end (also called 21U-RNAs) and embryogenesis, respectively (PubMed:31147388, PubMed:31216475). Promotes the biogenesis of 21U-RNAs (PubMed:31216475). Required for chromosome segregation and cell division in early embryos (PubMed:17171368, PubMed:31216475). May have a role in DNA replication (PubMed:17171368). Component of the pid-1 variant of the PETISCO complex (also called the pid-3, erh-2, tofu-6, and ife-3 small RNA complex) containing at least pid-1, tofu-6, ife-3, pid-3, and erh-2, which is required for the biogenesis of 21 nucleotide PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that possess a uracil residue at the 5'-end (also called 21U-RNAs) (PubMed:31147388, PubMed:31216475). Within the pid-1 variant of the PETISCO complex interacts with pid-1 (PubMed:31216475). Component of the tost-1 variant of the PETISCO complex (also called the pid-3, erh-2, tofu-6, and ife-3 small RNA complex) containing at least tost-1, tofu-6, ife-3, pid-3, and erh-2, which plays an essential role in embryogenesis (PubMed:31147388, PubMed:31216475). Within the tost-1 variant of the PETISCO complex interacts with tost-1 (PubMed:31216475). Within the pid-1 and tost-1 variants of the PETISCO complexes interacts (via C-terminus) with ife-3 (PubMed:31216475, PubMed:31147388). Within the pid-1 and tost-1 variants of the PETISCO complexes interacts (via the RRM domain) with pid-3 (PubMed:31216475, PubMed:31147388). Within the pid-1 and tost-1 variants of the PETISCO complexes interacts (via the RRM domain) with erh-2 (PubMed:31216475). In contrast to the pid-1 variant of the PETISCO complex, the tost-1 variant of the PETISCO complex plays a minor role in the biogenesis of 21U-RNAs (PubMed:31147388). Dispersedly distributes throughout the cytoplasm in early embryos (PubMed:31147388). During early embryogenesis, localizes to the nucleus at prophase of cell division, and remains in the cytosol at interphase in 2- and 4-cell embryos (PubMed:31216475). Does not localize to cytoplasmic granules in oocytes and embryos (PubMed:31216475). Localizes to puncta in the perinuclear region in the germline syncytium (PubMed:31147388, PubMed:31216475). Localization to the perinuclear region in the germline is dependent on pid-1, tost-1, pics-1 and erh-2 (PubMed:31216475). Expression is restricted to the germline (at protein level). Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Relatively high levels of expression in early embryos, weakly detectable in subsequent developmental stages and enriched in adults (at protein level) (PubMed:31147388). During early embryogenesis, expressed during prophase and interphase in 2- and 4-cell embryos (PubMed:31216475). Worms whose mothers are lacking mel-47 exhibit prolonged interphase between the two and four cell stages of development. Mutants arrest as early embryos ranging from 50 to 80 cells with no signs of morphogenesis. Chromatin bridges which connect nuclei remain present after cytokinesis appears complete. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in maternal effect lethal (Mel phenotype) (PubMed:31147388). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in chromosome segregation and cell division defects in early embryos (PubMed:31216475). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in defective activity of the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) silencing pathway (PubMed:31147388). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in the failure of pid-1, pid-3 and erh-2 to localize to perinuclear granules, but instead they accumulate in the nucleus (PubMed:31216475).