Plays a role in controlling the transcriptional activity of MYOD1, ensuring that expanding myoblast populations remain undifferentiated. Repression may occur through muscle-specific E-box occupancy by homodimers. May also negatively regulate bHLH-mediated transcription through an N-terminal repressor domain. Serves as a key regulator of acinar cell function, stability, and identity. Also required for normal organelle localization in exocrine cells and for mitochondrial calcium ion transport. May function as a unique regulator of gene expression in several different embryonic and postnatal cell lineages. Binds to the E-box consensus sequence 5'-CANNTG-3' (By similarity). Forms homodimers or heterodimers with TCF3 gene products E12 and E47. These dimers bind to the E-box site, however, heterodimer with MYOD1 does not bind target DNA (By similarity). Expressed in brain, liver, spleen and skeletal muscle. Lacks a classic transcription activation domain and instead possesses an N-terminal region capable of inhibiting heterologous activators.