Single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein that binds preferentially to oligo dC (PubMed:15731341, PubMed:7556077, PubMed:7607214, PubMed:8152927). Together with PCBP2, required for erythropoiesis, possibly by regulating mRNA splicing (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P60335, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15731341, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7556077, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7607214, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8152927}. (Microbial infection) In case of infection by poliovirus, plays a role in initiation of viral RNA replication in concert with the viral protein 3CD. . This is the function of ENSG00000169564 (PCBP1, poly(rC) binding protein 1).