This gene encodes a protein whose expression was found to increase in cultured cells at high density but not during growth arrest. This gene was also shown to have increased expression in cells overexpressing HER-2/neu proto-oncogene. May be involved in the translation of target mRNAs by scanning and recognition of the initiation codon. Involved in translation initiation; promotes recruitmnet of aminoacetyled initiator tRNA to P site of 40S ribosomes. Can promote release of deacylated tRNA and mRNA from recycled 40S subunits following ABCE1-mediated dissociation of post-termination ribosomal complexes into subunits. Plays a role in the modulation of the translational profile of a subset of cancer-related mRNAs when recruited to the translational initiation complex by the oncogene MCTS1.