Predicted to enable RNA binding activity and RNA helicase activity. Involved in gamete generation; negative regulation of transposition; and piRNA biosynthetic process. Acts upstream of or within male meiosis I and regulation of protein localization. Located in cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granule; nucleus; and perinuclear region of cytoplasm. Part of ribonucleoprotein complex. Is expressed in alimentary system mesentery; primordial germ cell; reproductive system; surface ectoderm; and urogenital ridge. Orthologous to human DDX4 (DEAD-box helicase 4). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]