Component of the cleavage factor Im (CFIm) complex that functions as an activator of the pre-mRNA 3′-end cleavage and polyadenylation processing required for the maturation of pre-mRNA into functional mRNAs (PubMed:14690600, PubMed:29276085, PubMed:8626397, PubMed:9659921). CFIm contributes to the recruitment of multiprotein complexes on specific sequences on the pre-mRNA 3′-end, so called cleavage and polyadenylation signals (pA signals) (PubMed:14690600, PubMed:8626397, PubMed:9659921). Most pre-mRNAs contain multiple pA signals, resulting in alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA) producing mRNAs with variable 3′-end formation (PubMed:23187700, PubMed:29276085). The CFIm complex acts as a key regulator of cleavage and polyadenylation site choice during APA through its binding to 5′-UGUA-3′ elements localized in the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) for a huge number of pre-mRNAs (PubMed:20695905, PubMed:29276085). CPSF6 enhances NUDT21/CPSF5 binding to 5′-UGUA-3′ elements localized upstream of pA signals and promotes RNA looping, and hence activates directly the mRNA 3′-processing machinery (PubMed:15169763, PubMed:21295486, PubMed:29276085). Plays a role in mRNA export (PubMed:19864460). ; (Microbial infection) Binds HIV-1 capsid-nucleocapsid (HIV-1 CA-NC) complexes and might thereby promote the integration of the virus in the nucleus of dividing cells (in vitro).