Transcription factor (By similarity). Involved in development of the hindgut, the male tail, and the excretory duct cell (PubMed:10511553, PubMed:11532910, PubMed:12231624). Involved in modulating function of excretory duct cells (PubMed:14758362). Plays a role in left/right patterning of cell fates in the hindgut (PubMed:10511553, PubMed:11532910). Expressed in late embryogenesis and into adulthood (PubMed:11532910, PubMed:16310763). Expression in the excretory duct cell begins in the majority of embryos by comma stage and persists throughout larval development into adulthood (PubMed:16310763). Expressed in L1 stage larvae in the excretory duct cell, neuronal support cells of the phasmid and labial sensory structures and a small number of additional unidentified cells in the head (PubMed:11532910, PubMed:12231624). Differences in the regulation of lin-48 expression may explain, at least in part, differences in excretory duct morphology and function between C.elegans and the related species C.briggsae.