Suppressor of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, including that of let-7 andpossibly of miR107, miR-143 and miR-200c.
Binds primary let-7 transcripts (prilet-7), including pri-let-7g and pri-let-7a-1, and sequester them in the nucleolus, away from the microprocessor complex, hence preventing their processing into mature miRNA (PubMed:22118463).
Does not act on pri-miR21 (PubMed:22118463).
The repression of let-7 expression is required for normal development and contributes to maintain the pluripotent state of embryonic stem cells by preventing let-7-mediated differentiation.
When overexpressed, recruits ZCCHC11/TUT4 uridylyltransferase to pre-let-7 transcripts, leading to their terminal uridylation and degradation (PubMed:19703396).
This activity might notbe relevant in vivo, as LIN28B-mediated inhibition of let-7 miRNA maturation appears to be ZCCHC11-independent (PubMed:22118463).
Interaction with target pre-miRNAs occurs via an 5'-GGAG-3' motif in the pre-miRNA terminal loop.