Transcriptional activator (PubMed:9151732). Recognizes variations of the palindromic sequence 5'-ATTCCCNNGGGAATT-3' (By similarity). Forms either a homodimer or a heterodimer with a related family member. Highly expressed in adult olfactory epithelium. In embryo, expressed in epithalamus, hypothalamus, throughout the brainstem and near the ventricular zones of mesencephalon, in rostral rhombencephalon, in vomeronasal organ, at high level in developing retina, developing spinal cord, at low level in dorsal root ganglia, trigeminal ganglia, glossopharyngeal nerve ganglia. Not expressed in developing inner eat. First detected at 9.5 dpc. Belongs to the COE family.