Probably involved in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing. Widely expressed prior to and throughout gastrulation, and in mid-somitic embryos. From 24 hours post-fertilization (hpf) onward, and up to the latest time point assessed (72 hpf), expression is detected in anterior structures including the brain, eye and mandible. Fam50a depletion results in early neurogenesis defects, abnormal anterior development impacting the brain, eyes and cartilage apparent at day 5 post-fertilization (5 dpf), and lethality occurring by 6 dpf. Belongs to the FAM50 family.