Enables iron-responsive element binding activity. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including intestinal absorption; osteoclast differentiation; and protoporphyrinogen IX biosynthetic process. Located in cytosol. Is expressed in several structures, including nervous system and yolk sac. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Orthologous to human IREB2 (iron responsive element binding protein 2). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]