Probable transcriptional regulator involved in developmental processes. May act as a transcriptional repressor (Potential). Involved in two major neuronal regionalization processes: primary anteroposterior (AP) axis patterning of the CNS and segmentation of the cranial neuronal crest (CNS) development. Expressed in early blastula stage embryos with a decrease during gastrulation. Expressed at early neurula stage in two broad wedge-shaped domains within the neuroectoderm flanking the midline. Throughout neurula stages, the anterior limit of its expression is maintained at a position posterior to hindbrain rhombomere 5. Confined to the trunk region of the prospective CNS. At stage 26, expressed in a gradient spanning the presumptive hindbrain/spinal cord boundary, the diencephalon, the pronephros and the presumptive olfactory placodes. From late neurula stage on, its expression becomes detectable in a distinct population of emigrating cranial neural crest (CNC) cells of the third branchial arch. At stage 26, expressed in the entire hyoid and branchial arch region and strongly reduced in this domain at tailbud stage. Belongs to the teashirt C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family.