Double-stranded nucleic acid binding that acts as a an antiviral factor by playing an essential role in the formation of cytoplasmic antiviral granules. May play a role in the inflammatory response to tissue injury and the control of extra-osseous calcification, acting as a downstream target of TNF-alpha signaling. Involved in the regulation of EGR1, in coordination with RGL2. May be involved in endosome fusion. Widely expressed. Very low levels are detected in skeletal muscle. Not detected in brain. Down-regulated in aggressive fibromatosis, as well as in breast and colon cancers. Up-regulated in fibroblasts from patients with normophosphatemic tumoral calcinosis (NFTC). Up-regulated by TNF-alpha through p38 MAPKs and NF-kappa-B. Up-regulated by osmotic shock. Induced by IFNG.