Probable transcription factor (PubMed:23946438). Required for asymmetric cell division in neuroblasts, perhaps acting by regulating spindle positioning and myosin polarization, and thus the position of the cleavage plane (PubMed:3200316, PubMed:18505863, PubMed:8951066, PubMed:26703426, PubMed:15979607, PubMed:23946438). Required to produce daughter cell size asymmetry in neuroblasts undergoing asymmetric cell division, usually giving rise to one precursor cell and one apoptotic cell (PubMed:29668718, PubMed:15979607, PubMed:23946438). Positively modulates expression of the serine/threonine kinase pig-1/MELK during asymmetric division of the Q.a neuroblast (PubMed:23946438). Plays a role in neural fate specification in several dopaminergic lineages, including the hermaphrodite-specific neuron (HSN)/phasmid neuron (PHB), acting in concert with the kinase, ham-1, and the T-box protein tbx-2 and the homeobox protein egl-5 (PubMed:3200316, PubMed:18505863, PubMed:8951066, PubMed:28659600, PubMed:23946438). Distributed asymmetrically in the cell cortex in some embryonic cells, including the hermaphrodite-specific neuron (HSN)/phasmid neuron (PHB) neuroblast (PubMed:15979607, PubMed:26703426). Localized to nucleus during interphase and evenly distributed in the cytoplasm of dividing Q.a and Q.p neuroblasts (PubMed:23946438). First expressed at the onset of gastrulation, approximately 100 minutes after cleavage of the zygote (at protein level) (PubMed:8951066). Expressed in both Q.a and Q.p neuroblasts as well as in their neighboring cells (PubMed:23946438).