The function of SMG5 (SMG5 nonsense mediated mRNA decay factor, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000198952) is as follows. Plays a role in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Does not have RNase activity by itself. Promotes dephosphorylation of UPF1. Together with SMG7 is thought to provide a link to the mRNA degradation machinery involving exonucleolytic pathways, and to serve as an adapter for UPF1 to protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), thereby triggering UPF1 dephosphorylation. Necessary for TERT activity. .