Probable transcription factor which binds the E box motif 5'-CA[TC][AG]TG-3' (PubMed:11076762). Essential for the specification of the neuroblast cell fate in the development of peripheral sense organs (PubMed:7800042). Its role in the generation of sensory neurons may be through positively regulating the expression of the zinc finger protein ztf-11 during postdeirid neurogenesis (PubMed:31386623). Required for specification of cell fate, acting in concert with lin-32, in the development of the male-specific genital sensilla (simple sense organs) known as rays (PubMed:11076762). Involved in regulating glial specification, perhaps by suppressing a glial fate in different lineages during early embryogenesis (PubMed:32665354). Forms a heterodimer with hlh-2. Expressed in PVD motor neurons. Expressed in V5 postdeirid lineage cells in L2 larvae (PubMed:31386623). Expressed in the nine ray lineage Rn.a neuroblasts and their progeny, Rn.aa and Rn.ap (PubMed:11076762). Knockout results in ectopic AMsh glial cells and also ectopic amphid socket (AMso) cells, another type of glia, from a different cell lineage (PubMed:32665354). Some animals are missing dorsal, but not ventral, CEPsh glial cells (PubMed:32665354). Mean number of ectopic AMsh glial cells increases on cnd-1 or ngn-1 mutant backgrounds (PubMed:32665354).