Acts as a 'translational enhancer', driving specific mRNAs to polysomes and thus increasing the efficiency of protein synthesis. Its association with the translational machinery and target mRNAs results in an increased number of initiation events per molecule of mRNA and, indirectly, in stabilizing the mRNAs. Binds IGF2 mRNA, MYOD1 mRNA, ARBP/36B4 ribosomal protein mRNA and its own mRNA. Essential for skeletal muscle differentiation program through the translational up-regulation of IGF2 expression. Acts as a suppressor of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis by specifically binding the precursor let-7 (pre-let-7), a miRNA precursor. Acts by binding pre-let-7 and recruiting ZCCHC11/TUT4 uridylyltransferase, leading to the terminal uridylation of pre- let-7. Uridylated pre-let-7 miRNAs fail to be processed by Dicer and undergo degradation. Degradation of pre-let-7 in embryonic stem (ES) cells contributes to the maintenance of ES cells. In contrast, Lin28a down-regulation in neural stem cells by miR-125, allows the processing of pre-let-7. Specifically recognizes the 5'-GGAG-3' motif in the terminal loop of pre-let-7. Also recognizes and binds non pre-let-7 pre-miRNAs that contain the 5'- GGAG-3' motif in the terminal loop, leading to their terminal uridylation and subsequent degradation.