Acts as a coactivator in the regulation of translation initiation of poly(A)-containing mRNAs. Its stimulatory activity on translation is mediated via its action on PABPC1. Competes with PAIP2 for binding to PABPC1. Its association with EIF4A and PABPC1 may potentiate contacts between mRNA termini. May also be involved in translationally coupled mRNA turnover. Implicated with other RNA-binding proteins in the cytoplasmic deadenylation/translational and decay interplay of the FOS mRNA mediated by the major coding-region determinant of instability (mCRD) domain. ; (Microbial infection) Upon interaction with SARS coronavirus SARS-CoV NSP3 protein, plays an important role in viral protein synthesis.