Piwi-like protein 4 (PIWIL4)

Plays a central role during spermatogenesis by repressing transposable elements and preventing their mobilization, which is vital for the germline integrity (By similarity). Acts via the piRNA metabolic process, which mediates the repression of transposable elements during meiosis by forming complexes composed of piRNAs and Piwi proteins and governs the methylation and subsequent repression of transposons (By similarity).

Directly binds piRNAs, a class of 24 to 30 nucleotide RNAs which are generated by a Dicer-independent mechanism and are primarily derived from transposons and other repeated sequence elements (By similarity). Associates with secondary piRNAs antisense and PIWIL2/MILI is required for such association (By similarity).