Cold-inducible mRNA binding protein that plays a protective role in the genotoxic stress response by stabilizing transcripts of genes involved in cell survival. Acts as a translational activator. Seems to play an essential role in cold-induced suppression of cell proliferation. Binds specifically to the 3'-untranslated regions (3'- UTRs) of stress-responsive transcripts RPA2 and TXN. Acts as a translational repressor (By similarity). Promotes assembly of stress granules (SGs), when overexpressed. {ECO:0000250, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11574538, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16513844}. This is the function of ENSG00000099622 (CIRBP, cold inducible RNA binding protein).