IER3IP1 has a G-patch domain which is thought to function in the binding of RNA. The G-patch domain is associated with various proteins which exhibit functions which may include tumor suppression and DNA damage repair, suggesting that IER3IP1 may be involved in cellular responses to DNA damage. Matrine is a molecule that induces erythroid cell differentiation of K562 cells and the presence of the IER3IP1 gene is thought to increase matrine function, implying a possible role for IER3IP1 in erythroid cell differentiation.