RNA-binding protein that is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs (By similarity). Plays a role in the regulation of mRNA stability, alternative splicing and translation (By similarity). Binds to AU-rich element (ARE) sequences in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of target mRNAs (By similarity). Mainly play a role in neuron-specific RNA processing (By similarity). Expression is neural-specific. In the retina, expressed in the ganglion cell layer from stage 28 onwards and in amacrine cells from stage 35 onwards. Expressed in the tailbud and adult brain; in tailbuds, expression is predominant in the cortical plate. Expressed after stage 19 (late neurula). Belongs to the RRM elav family.