Probable transcription factor that plays a role in eye development before, during, and after optic fissure closure. Expressed throughout embryonic development. In adult predominantly in brain. No overt phenotypic abnormalities. Histologic analysis of the eyes reveales a colobomatous phenotype, with delayed apposition of the optic fissure margins and persistence of an anterior retinal coloboma phenotype after birth. Deficient embryos display correct posterior closure toward the optic nerve head, and upon contact of the fissure margins, dissolution of the basal lamina occurs and PAX2, known to be critical for this process, is expressed normally. Anterior closure is disrupted with the fissure margins failing to meet, or in some cases misaligning leading to a retinal lesion. Belongs to the sal C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family.