Required for selective autophagy activation by ubiquitinated proteins (PubMed:22622177). Implicated in sigma rhabdovirus multiplication and necessary for male fertility. Involved in activating transcription of Drs (PubMed:12446795, PubMed:2510997). Interacts with aPKC and Traf6. Polymorphic for two allelic forms in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster, ref(2)Po and ref(2)Pp. The latter allele confers resistance to the rhabdovirus sigma infecting wild populations. Males are sterile, spermatids exhibit degenerated mitochondria. Reduced activation of the Drs promoter. Double mutants for ref(2)P and scny die 96 hours after egg laying (PubMed:22622177).