The function of SLFN12 (schlafen family member 12, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000172123) is as follows. Ribonuclease which is part of an E2/17beta-estradiol-induced pro-apoptotic signaling pathway. E2 stabilizes the PDE3A/SLFN12 complex in the cytosol, promoting the dephosphorylation of SLFN12 and activating its pro-apoptotic ribosomal RNA/rRNA ribonuclease activity. This apoptotic pathway might be relevant in tissues with high concentration of E2 and be for instance involved in placenta remodeling (PubMed:31420216, PubMed:34272366, PubMed:34707099, PubMed:35104454). May play a role in cell differentiation (PubMed:30045019). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:30045019, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31420216, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34272366, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34707099, ECO:0000269|PubMed:35104454}.