Multifunctional ATP-dependent RNA helicase (PubMed:27546789). Plays a role in RNA remodeling, but is not required for RNA unwinding (PubMed:27546789). Binds to RNA in a concentration-dependent manner to stimulate annealing between two complementary strands of RNA (PubMed:26015579, PubMed:27546789). This process is also dependent upon ATP; ATP reduces binding to RNA and subsequently diminishes RNA annealing (PubMed:27546789). Involved in many cellular processes, which do not necessarily require its ATPase/helicase catalytic activities. Involved in the regulation of transcription and translation initiation. Involved in innate immunity (By similarity). Involved in both stress and inflammatory responses (By similarity). Promotes liquid-liquid phase separation of P granules, which is a process important for intracellular organization and stress granule assembly (PubMed:26015579). Required for embryonic development (PubMed:19361491, PubMed:26015579). Plays a role in sexual cell fate determination by negatively regulating the translation of the sex determining protein tra-2 (PubMed:9043090, PubMed:9321409, PubMed:26015579). May play a protective role in the response to heat and oxidative stress (PubMed:24844228). May negatively regulate extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway via death domain receptors. May be involved in mitotic chromosome segregation (By similarity).