The protein encoded by this gene is a nuclear encoded endonuclease that is localized in the mitochondrion. The encoded protein is widely distributed among animals and cleaves DNA at GC tracts. This protein is capable of generating the RNA primers required by DNA polymerase gamma to initiate replication of mitochondrial DNA. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008] see less The protein encoded by this gene is a nuclear encoded endonuclease that is localized in the mitochondrion. The encoded protein is widely distributed among animals and cleaves DNA at GC tracts. This protein is capable of generating the RNA primers required by DNA polymerase gamma to initiate replication of mitochondrial DNA. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]