Component of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) complex, which is involved in protein synthesis of a specialized repertoire of mRNAs and, together with other initiation factors, stimulates binding of mRNA and methionyl-tRNAi to the 40S ribosome. The eIF-3 complex specifically targets and initiates translation of a subset of mRNAs involved in cell proliferation (PubMed:18493598). In addition to its role in the eIF-3 complex, also functions in protein ubiquitination and degradation (PubMed:18493598, PubMed:28505193). During mitosis required for regulating mitotic microtubule growth and kinetochore formation, and consequently is required for satisfying the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) during metaphase to prevent delays in mitotic progression (PubMed:28505193). This is likely by promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of Klp67A, a kinesin-like protein that suppresses microtubule polymerization at plus ends (PubMed:28505193). Acts in the COP9 signalosome (CSN) mediated regulation of cullin neddylation by promoting Cul1 and Cul3 neddylation and negatively regulating the CSN complex subunit CSN5 (PubMed:18493598). Component of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF-3) complex. The eIF-3 complex interacts with pix. Interacts with mxt (PubMed:23716590). Uniformly distributed in interphase and mitotic cells. Expression levels in females and males are relatively similar 10 days after oviposition, however by day 15 expression is higher in gravid females than in males (at protein level). Expressed throughout development and in adults (at protein level). Expression peaks in early embryos (2 h after oviposition), then steadily decreases over the embryonic and larval stages (at protein level). Expression increases again 5 days after oviposition and remains stable until day 10 (at protein level). Homozygous lethal at the first instar larval stage. Larvae are smaller than wild-type and die 3-4 days after hatching. Belongs to the eIF-3 subunit E family.