The function of PDE3A (phosphodiesterase 3A, ENSG00000172572) is as follows. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase with specificity for the second messengers cAMP and cGMP, which are key regulators of many important physiological processes (PubMed:1315035, PubMed:25961942, PubMed:8155697, PubMed:8695850). Also has activity toward cUMP (PubMed:27975297). Independently of its catalytic activity it 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:34707099). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:1315035, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25961942, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27975297, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31420216, ECO:0000269|PubMed:34707099, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8155697, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8695850}.