Acts redundantly with ceh-20 and ceh-40 to perform overlapping roles during embryogenesis (PubMed:12399316). Required for postembryonic development of the ectoderm, including the Q, V and P cell lineages, playing a crucial role in ensuring that these cells and their descendants undergo their invariant patterns of cell division, migration, fusion and morphogenesis (PubMed:15750187). Has a role in the mig-13 pathway to promote anterior migration of neuroblasts in the Q lineage (PubMed:15750187). Required for multiple roles in regulating vulva development (PubMed:15750187). Associates with homeobox ceh-60 to regulate gene expression, including repression of genes involved in innate immunity and activation of genes involved in vitellogenesis (PubMed:30956009, PubMed:31675356). Involved in lipid homeostasis, contributing to the formation of the cuticle (PubMed:30956009, PubMed:31675356). Forms a heterodimer with homeobox ceh-60. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Isoform a and isoform f are more abundant than isoform b and isoform e, but their temporal patterns of accumulation are similar. All are present in adult germline, pregastrulation embryos, later embryos and adult soma. Worms exhibit severe posterior disorganization during embryogenesis (Nob phenotype) (PubMed:12399316). Mutants exhibit Q cell migration defects, affecting cell position along the anterior posterior axis (PubMed:12399316). RNAi mediated knockdown abolishes nuclear localization of ceh-60 (PubMed:30956009). RNAi mediated knockdown targeted to the intestine represses expression of vitellogenin genes; further repressed on ceh-60 mutant background (PubMed:30956009). Belongs to the TALE/MEIS homeobox family.