Splice factor that is required for the first ATP-dependent step in spliceosome assembly and for the interaction of U2 snRNP with the branchpoint. Has both RNA-stimulated ATP binding/hydrolysis activity and ATP-dependent RNA unwinding activity. Even with the stimulation of RNA, the ATPase activity is weak. Can only hydrolyze ATP but not other NTPs. The RNA stimulation of ATPase activity does not have a strong preference for the sequence and length of the RNA. However, ssRNA stimulates the ATPase activity much more strongly than dsRNA. Can unwind 5' or 3' overhangs or blunt end RNA duplexes in vitro. The ATPase and helicase activities are not influenced by U2AF2; the effect of ALYREF/THOC4 is reported conflictingly