Transcription factor required during the formation of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. May function as a switch in neuronal development. Keeps neural cells undifferentiated by counteracting the activity of proneural proteins and suppresses neuronal differentiation. Required also within the pharyngeal epithelia for craniofacial morphogenesis. Controls a genetic switch in male development. Is necessary for initiating male sex determination by directing the development of supporting cell precursors (pre-Sertoli cells) as Sertoli rather than granulosa cells. Interacts with SOX2 and FGFR1. Expressed in developing parathyroids of mouse embryos between 10.5 and 15.5 days post-coitum (PubMed:16167084). Expressed in the developing central nervous system (PubMed:12748963). Expressed in the developing urogenital ridge. The 9aaTAD motif is a transactivation domain present in a large number of yeast and animal transcription factors.