Function
Endonuclease that plays a critical role in PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) biogenesis during spermatogenesis. piRNAs provide essential protection against the activity of mobile genetic elements. piRNA-mediated transposon silencing is thus critical for maintaining genome stability, in particular in germline cells when transposons are mobilized as a consequence of wide-spread genomic demethylation (PubMed:23064227, PubMed:23064230). Has been proposed to act as a cardiolipin hydrolase to generate phosphatidic acid at mitochondrial surface (PubMed:21397847, PubMed:21397848). Although it cannot be excluded that it can act as a phospholipase in some circumstances, it should be noted that cardiolipin hydrolase activity is either undetectable in vitro, or very low. In addition, cardiolipin is almost exclusively found on the inner mitochondrial membrane, while PLD6 localizes to the outer mitochondrial membrane, facing the cytosol. Has been shown to be a backbone-non-specific, single strand-specific nuclease, cleaving either RNA or DNA substrates with similar affinity (PubMed:23064227, PubMed:23064230). Produces 5' phosphate and 3' hydroxyl termini, suggesting it could directly participate in the processing of primary piRNA transcripts (PubMed:23064230). Also acts as a regulator of mitochondrial shape through facilitating mitochondrial fusion (By similarity).