DNA-binding transcriptional factor that plays a role in a broad range of cellular and developmental processes such as eye, bones, cardiovascular, kidney and skin development. Acts either as a transcriptional activator or repressor. Binds to the consensus binding site 5'-[G/C][A/T]AAA[T/C]AA[A/C]-3' in promoter of target genes. Upon DNA-binding, promotes DNA bending. Required for cell viability and resistance to oxidative stress in the eye. Promotes cell growth inhibition by stopping the cell cycle in the G1 phase through TGFB1-mediated signals. Involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction by increasing cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Involved in chemokine-induced endothelial cell migration. Plays a role in epidermal keratinocyte terminal differentiation. Essential developmental transcriptional factor required for mesoderm-derived tissues formation, such as the somites, skin, bone and cartilage. Plays a role in the development and maintenance of mesenchymal niches for haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). Plays a role in corneal transparency by preventing both blood vessel and lymphatic vessel growth during embryonic development in a VEGF-dependent manner (By similarity). Plays a role at the gastrula stage for expression of several mesodermal and endodermal genes (PubMed:17705306). At the late neurula stage, regulates expression of adhesion genes to maintain cell adhesion in the mesodermal germ layer (PubMed:17705306). Monomer. In gastrulae, expressed in ventral and lateral but not dorsal mesoderm. In neurulae, expressed in the posterior mesoderm except for the dorsal midline, and also at the lateral border of the neural plate and within anterior neuroectoderm. From tailbud stages, expressed in the pronephros, heart, neural crest cells surrounding the eye, in the mandibular, hyoid and branchial arches, and within the tail. Expressed from late blastula/early gastrula stage throughout embryogenesis. By vegt, acting via nodal signaling. Embryos gastrulate and neurulate, but at the tailbud stage show stunted growth and loss of cells at the blastopore. Embryos continue to develop but display shortened axes and abnormal gut and heart development by the swimming tadpole stage.