This gene encodes a tudor domain-containing protein and component of the chromatoid body, a type of ribonucleoprotein granule present in male germ cells. Studies in rodents have demonstrated a role for the encoded protein in spermiogenesis and the nonsense mediated decay (NMD) pathway. This protein is a major autoantigen in human patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1). [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2016].