Possible transcriptional activator. Localized to the animal hemisphere of early cleavage stage embryos. Zygotic expression is restricted to the dorsal part of the epibranchial placodes of the head within a region located near the tip of the first, second and third visceral pouch. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Maternal levels decrease rapidly during the early cleavage stages. Zygotic expression begins at neurulation.