May regulate muscle-specific transcription in the embryo and may regulate transcription of a variety of cell types in the adult. Binds to the sequence 5'-CTA[TA]4TAR-3'. Acts downstream of nlk2 in anterior neural development, including eye formation. Interacts with hdac9 and nlk2. Restricted to the somitic mesoderm of early embryos. Expressed in the head region of neurula stage embryos and in body muscle (myotomes) of the tadpole. Expressed in all tissues examined in the adult. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Zygotic expression begins after the neurula stage. Belongs to the MEF2 family.