Transcriptional repressor which binds to the consensus sequence 5'-GCTCGC-3', transcription regulation may be tissue-specific (By similarity). Regulates the expression of target genes such as: IGF2, PGAP6/TMEM8, ENHO, and PIANP (By similarity). Acts as a transcriptional repressor of growth factor IGF2, thereby negatively regulating postnatal growth of muscles and internal organs, especially in females (By similarity). Negatively regulates myoblast differentiation and myoblast mitochondrial activity via its regulation of IGF2 transcription (By similarity). Negatively regulates the cell cycle of myoblasts, potentially via transcriptional regulation of the E2F family of transcription factors such as: E2F1 and E2F2 (By similarity). Positively regulates the cell cycle and survival of pancreatic beta cells (PubMed:24043816). Binds to the CDH2 gene and may directly repress CDH2 transcription (By similarity). Probably by controlling CDH2 expression, regulates pancreatic beta cell adhesion, and formation of cell-to-cell junctions between pancreatic beta cells and neural crest stem cells (By similarity). May also play a role in embryonic beta cell differentiation (By similarity). May play a role in insulin sensitivity and glucose clearance (By similarity). Located predominantly in the nucleolus but is also dispersed throughout the nucleus (By similarity). Mainly cytoplasmic in insulin- and glucagon-positive islet pancreatic cells, however nuclear localization is evidence in some pancreatic endocrine cells (PubMed:24043816). Expressed in pancreatic islet cells (at protein level). Encoded by an exapted DNA transposon located in an intron of the ZC3H11A gene.