Stimulates viral immediate-early (IE) transcription. Counteracts the DAXX-mediated repression of viral transcription. Displaces a DAXX-binding protein, ATRX, from nuclear domain 10 sites (ND10) shortly after infection (By similarity). Interacts with the host protein DAXX; this interaction takes place at ND10 and induces the reversal of DAXX-mediated repression of viral transcription. Present in the nucleus shortly after infection as well as during the late phase of viral morphogenesis. Detected at nuclear domain 10 (ND10). Also found in dense bodies (By similarity). Belongs to the herpesviridae pp71 family.