Enables mRNA binding activity and mitochondrial ribosome binding activity. Involved in mature ribosome assembly and positive regulation of mitochondrial translation. Located in mitochondrion. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; axial musculature; brain ventricular layer; genitourinary system; and orbito-sphenoid. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency 33. Orthologous to human C1QBP (complement C1q binding protein). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]