Transcriptional repressor involved in organogenesis. Plays an essential role in ureteric bud invasion during kidney development. May associate with NuRD histone deacetylase complex (HDAC) (By similarity). Interacts with components of HDAC complex including HDAC1, HDAC2, RBBP4, RBPP7, MTA1 and MTA2 (By similarity). Interacts with CCNQ (PubMed:18297069). Interacts with NSD2 (via PHD-type zinc fingers 1, 2 and 3) (By similarity). Highest levels in kidney. Lower levels in adult brain (enriched in corpus callosum, lower expression in substantia nigra) and liver. In fetal brain exclusively in neurons of the subependymal region of hypothalamus lateral to the third ventricle. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Some individuals with SALL1 mutations manifest a phenotype overlapping with TBS1 and bronchio-oto-renal syndrome. Clinical features include dysplastic ears, hypoplastic kidneys with impaired renal function, gastroesophageal reflux, hypermetropia, hypospadias, and mild developmental delay. Affected individuals lack the characteristic anal or hand malformations of TBS1. Belongs to the sal C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family.