Transcriptional repressor of genes that require a bHLH protein for their transcription (By similarity). May serve as a transcriptional regulator of the Achaete-scute complex (AS-C) genes (PubMed:1528887). Contributes to the neural-epidermal lineage decision during early neurogenesis (PubMed:1427040). As part of the Notch signaling pathway, required to maintain the self-renewal and identity of type II neuroblasts by regulating the expression of the transcriptional repressor erm (PubMed:28899667). Transcription repression requires formation of a complex with a corepressor protein (Groucho). In embryo, expressed during the initial stages of germ band exclusively within the neuroectoderm, both in the territory of the trunk and in cephalic regions. During stage 9, expressed within the procephalic lobe and the ventral ectoderm. Has a particular type of basic domain (presence of a helix-interrupting proline) that binds to the N-box (CACNAG), rather than the canonical E-box (CANNTG). The C-terminal WRPW motif is a transcriptional repression domain necessary for the interaction with Groucho, a transcriptional corepressor recruited to specific target DNA by Hairy-related proteins. RNAi-mediated knockdown of the protein in the type II neuroblasts lineage results in an increase in the number of type II neuroblasts. Simultaneous RNAi-mediated knockdown of the ETS protein pnt restores normal neuroblast numbers.