Functions as a transcriptional regulator binding to DNA sequences in the promoter region of target genes and regulating positively or negatively their expression. Oncogene which plays a role in development, cell proliferation and differentiation. May also play a role in apoptosis through regulation of the JNK and TGF-beta signaling. Involved in hematopoiesis. Displays histone methyltransferase activity and monomethylates 'Lys-9' of histone H3 (H3K9me1) in vitro. Probably catalyzes the monomethylation of free histone H3 in the cytoplasm which is then transported to the nucleus and incorporated into nucleosomes where SUV39H methyltransferases use it as a substrate to catalyze histone H3 'Lys-9' trimethylation. Likely to be one of the primary histone methyltransferases along with PRDM16 that direct cytoplasmic H3K9me1 methylation. L-lysyl(9)-[histone H3] + S-adenosyl-L-methionine = H(+) + N(6)-methyl-L-lysyl(9)-[histone H3] + S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine Homooligomer. Interacts with SUV39H1 (via SET domain); enhances MECOM transcriptional repression activity (By similarity). Interacts with CTBP1. Interacts with SMAD3 (via MH2 domain); the interaction is direct. Interacts with SMAD4; through interaction with SMAD3. Interacts with CREBBP, KAT2B and histone deacetylases. Interacts with MAPK8 and MAPK9; inhibits JNK signaling (PubMed:10856240, PubMed:11568182, PubMed:15897867, PubMed:9665135). Both zinc finger regions are required for the transcriptional activation of PBX1. Phosphorylated. May be acetylated by CREBBP and KAT2B. A chromosomal aberration involving EVI1 is a cause of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Translocation t(3;21)(q26;q22) with RUNX1/AML1. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. A chromosomal aberration involving MDS1 is found in a form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Translocation t(3;21) with AML1. Produced by alternative promoter usage. Unable to form homooligomers, to interact with CTBP1 and SMAD3 and to repress TGF-beta signaling. Produced by alternative promoter usage. Extended N-terminus. Chimeric cDNA that is the result of a chromosomal aberration involving EVI1 and RUNX1. Truncated N-terminus.