RNA-binding protein involved in deadenylation-dependent decapping of mRNAs, leading to the degradation of mRNAs (PubMed:17936923, PubMed:20543818, PubMed:20584987, PubMed:20852261). Acts as a scaffold protein that connects deadenylation and decapping machinery (PubMed:17936923, PubMed:20543818, PubMed:20584987, PubMed:20852261). Required for cytoplasmic mRNA processing body (P- body) assembly (PubMed:17936923, PubMed:20543818, PubMed:20584987, PubMed:20852261). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:17936923, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20543818, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20584987, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20852261}. (Microbial infection) In case of infection, required for translation and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV). . This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000166889 (PATL1, PAT1 homolog 1, processing body mRNA decay factor).