Probable transcription factor involved in the control of specification of mesoderm and endoderm. Expressed in brain, skin, ovary and liver. Also expressed in maturing oocytes, eggs, zygotes and 2-cell embryos, but not 4-cell embryos. Expressed in embryos from day 7. Expression is low in 12 day embryos and higher in 18 and 19 day embryos. Belongs to the paired homeobox family.