Cold-inducible mRNA binding protein. Acts cooperatively with elavl1/elrA to stabilize AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs by binding to themm and inhibiting their deadenylation. Essential for embryonic gastrulation and neural development, acting to maintain the expression of a set of adhesion molecules, and cell movement during embryogenesis. Required for pronephros development (By similarity). Interacts with prmt1. Interacts with elavl1/elrA (via RRM3). Associates with ribosomes (By similarity). Shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Predominantly cytoplasmic in oocytes. Translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm upon arginine methylation (By similarity). The glycine-rich domain, which contains a number of RGG motifs, is necessary to regulate nucleocytoplasmic localization. Methylated on arginine residues within RGG motifs. Methylation by prmt1 promotes cytoplasmic accumulation (By similarity).