Acts as a transcriptional activator (PubMed:21875655). Plays a role in terminal differentiation of interneurons, such as amacrine and bipolar cells in the developing retina (PubMed:21875655). Likely to play a regulatory role in the development of the ventral forebrain (PubMed:1678612). May play a role in craniofacial patterning and morphogenesis (PubMed:1678612). Interacts (via homeobox DNA-binding domain) with POU4F2; this interaction enhances retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation (PubMed:21875655). Expressed only in neural and other ectodermal structures of the head: the brain, the vomeronasal organ, and the preameloblasts of the teeth (PubMed:8098616). Primarily expressed in the germinal cells of the ventral forebrain in the midgestational embryo, and in both dorsal and ventral ventricular zones in late embryogenesis and early postnatal life (PubMed:8098616). Expressed in the inner nuclear layer of the retina (PubMed:21875655). Expressed in developing retinal progenitor cells at 12 dpc (PubMed:21875655). Developmentally regulated (PubMed:1678612, PubMed:1687503). Phosphorylated by serine/threonine kinases. Belongs to the distal-less homeobox family.