Acts as a key regulator of dendritic field orientation during development of sensory cortex. Also directs dendrites toward active axon terminals when ectopically expressed. Translocates from the cytosol to the nucleus in response to neuronal activity. In the somatosensory cortex, specifically expressed in spiny stellate neurons during barrel formation. Also expressed in the olfactory bulb, piriform cortex and hippocampus. Not expressed in early postnatal somatosensory cortex at postnatal day 1 (P1): weakly expressed at P2, coincident with innervation by thalamocortical axons into layer IV cortex, followed by a barrel-like expression pattern established over the next few days.