Proposed to be involved in regulation of apoptosis; the exact mechanism may differ between cell types/tissues (PubMed:15082785). May be involved in hypoxia-induced cell death of transformed cells implicating cytochrome C release and caspase activation (such as CASP9) and inducing mitochondrial permeability transition (PubMed:15082785). May be involved in hypoxia-induced cell death of neuronal cells probably by promoting release of AIFM1 from mitochondria to cytoplasm and its translocation to the nucleus; however, the involvement of caspases has been reported conflictingly (PubMed:17316997). Interacts with HSP90AB1; HSP90AB1 is essential for FAM162A mitochondrial localization and pro-apoptotic activity (By similarity). Interacts with VDAC2; the interaction is probably involved in inducing mitochondrial permeability transition (By similarity). Induced by hypoxia. Belongs to the UPF0389 family.