The phrase "a primordial function of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental or essential role that something plays in a particular context or system.
Example: "In many ecosystems, a primordial function of decomposers is to break down organic matter and recycle nutrients."
Alternatives: "a fundamental role of" or "an essential function of".
In this regard, it is notable that ribosomal biogenesis has been proposed to be a primordial function of Myc during evolution [5].
Nvp63's protein structure, its localization in early gametes, and function suggest that the induction of apoptosis in the germ line upon genotoxic stress is a primordial function of the p53 family that existed already before bilaterians evolved.
Does the invertebrate mode of genome methylation represent a primordial function of DNA methylation in animals?
Our transcriptional data and the absence of an overt developmental phenotype associated with cep-1 deletions [ 6, 7] suggest that DNA damage induced apoptosis might be a primordial function of the p53 family.
It was noted years ago that the Golgi is able to direct sphingolipids to the plasma membrane rather than back to the ER, and it is tempting to speculate that this remodeling of the lipid bilayer may be a primordial function of the Golgi.
Particularly, the cell biology and pathobiochemistry of intestinal disaccharidases has occupied a major part of this workshop by virtue of the primordial function of the sucrase-isomaltase enzyme complex in carbohydrate and human starch digestion to glucose (α-glucogenesis) [1].
For example, there are several lines of evidence to suggest that the RAG1 and RAG2 genes involved in V(D J recombination originated from a hAT DNA transposon that was domesticated to fulfill this primordial function of the adaptive immune system [19], [20].
Evolutionary conservation analysis of these binding sites is greater when adjacent to up-regulated genes than down-regulated genes, suggesting the primordial function of PPARγ/RXR is in the induction of genes.
When coupled with the observation that the evolutionary conservation of PPARγ/RXR binding sites is greater when adjacent to upregulated genes than downregulated genes suggest that the primordial function of PPARγ/RXR is the induction of genes involved in lipid and fatty acid metabolism.
This particular function is ubiquitous across the jawed vertebrates and is likely the primordial function of the class I protein.
The overwhelming part of Drosophila Myc targets control ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis, which, therefore, constitute the core and presumably primordial function of Myc proteins.
