Transcriptional activator that directly regulates early activation of the myogenic determination gene MYF5 by binding in a sequence-specific manner to the early epaxial enhancer element of it. Involved in somitogenesis during embryogenesis and somite development and differentiation into sclerotome and dermomyotome. Required for the initiation and/or maintenance of proper organization of the sclerotome, dermomyotome and myotome (By similarity). Homodimer. Expressed in testis, kidney and skeletal muscle. Produced by DMRT2 bicistronic transcripts (AF284223/AF284224) from non-overlapping reading frame, according to PubMed:10729224. Produced by DMRT2 bicistronic transcripts (AF284223/AF284224) from non-overlapping reading frame, according to PubMed:10729224. Belongs to the DMRT family.