This gene encodes a DNA-binding protein which specifically recognizes conserved target sequences at the breakpoint junction of chromosomal translocations. Translin polypeptides form a multimeric structure that is responsible for its DNA-binding activity. Recombination-associated motifs and translin-binding sites are present at recombination hotspots and may serve as indicators of breakpoints in genes which are fused by translocations. These binding activities may play a crucial role in chromosomal translocation in lymphoid neoplasms. This protein encoded by this gene, when complexed with translin-associated protein X, also forms a Mg ion-dependent endoribonuclease that promotes RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) activation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, May 2012]