Pre-mRNA splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome. U12-type spliceosome binds U12-type pre-mRNAs and recognizes the 5' splice site and branch-point sequence. U11 and U12 snRNPs are components of U12-type spliceosome and function as a molecular bridge connecting both ends of the intron. The protein encoded by this gene contains a RNA recognition motif. It was identified as one of the protein components of U11/U12 snRNPs. This protein and many other U11/U12 snRNP proteins are highly conserved in organisms known to contain U12-type introns. These proteins have been shown to be essential for cell viability, suggesting the key roles in U12-type splicing. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].