Plays a major role in early metanephros development. Expressed in the mesoderm, including the intermediate mesoderm, the origin of the pronephros, at 90% epiboly (8.5 hpf) and early somitogenesis stages (11.5 hpf). Morpholino knockdown of the protein causes abnormal morphology of the proximal kidney. Belongs to the GREB1 family.