This gene encodes a protein that is essential for nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD); a process whereby transcripts with premature termination codons are targeted for rapid degradation by a mRNA decay complex. The mRNA decay complex consists, in part, of this protein along with proteins SMG5 and UPF1. The N-terminal domain of this protein is thought to mediate its association with SMG5 or UPF1 while the C-terminal domain interacts with the mRNA decay complex. This protein may therefore couple changes in UPF1 phosphorylation state to the degradation of NMD-candidate transcripts. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.SMG7 (SMG7, Nonsense Mediated MRNA Decay Factor) is a Protein Coding gene. Among its related pathways are Gene Expression and Viral mRNA Translation. GO annotations related to this gene include protein phosphatase 2A binding. An important paralog of this gene is SMG6.