Part of a rhi-dependent transcription machinery that enables the generation of piRNA precursors from heterochromatin while maintaining the suppression of transposon-encoded promoters and enhancers. Moonshiner/CG12721 recruits transcriptional machinery to heterochromatin to initiate the bidirectional transcription of piRNA clusters. Functions by forming a complex with transcription initiation factors TfIIA-S and Trf2, and interacting with del which is part of the RDC (rhi, del and cuff) complex that binds to repressive H3K9me3 marks in the chromatin. This mechanism allows transcription to occur in piRNA clusters despite the lack of proper promoter elements and in the presence of the repressive H3K9me3 mark. Forms a complex with TfIIA-S and Trf2. Expressed in nuclear foci. Specifically expressed in the ovaries. Viable and ovaries appear normal. However females are sterile. Phenotype likely results from transcriptional defects at piRNA clusters caused by loss of Pol II specifically at rhi-dependent piRNA clusters in the developing ovary, resulting in a severe reduction in steady-state piRNA precursor levels and derepression of transposable mRNA transcription. The name 'Moonshiner' derives from its activity in the transcriptional 'prohibition' of heterochromatin.