RNA-binding protein that plays an essential role in the biogenesis of circular RNAs (circRNAs) which are produced by back-splicing circularization of pre-mRNAs. Within the nucleus, promotes circRNAs processing by stabilizing the regulatory elements residing in the flanking introns of the circularized exons. Plays thereby a role in the back-splicing of a subset of circRNAs (PubMed:28625552). As a consequence, participates in a wide range of transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. Binds to poly-U elements and AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3′-UTR of target mRNAs (PubMed:14731398). Upon viral infection, ILF3 accumulates in the cytoplasm and participates in the innate antiviral response (PubMed:21123651, PubMed:34110282). Mechanistically, ILF3 becomes phosphorylated and activated by the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase/PKR which releases ILF3 from cellular mature circRNAs. In turn, unbound ILF3 molecules are able to interact with and thus inhibit viral mRNAs (PubMed:21123651, PubMed:28625552). ; (Microbial infection) Plays a positive role in HIV-1 virus production by binding to and thereby stabilizing HIV-1 RNA, together with ILF3.
