DNA-binding regulatory protein implicated in early development. Involved in neuronal cell fate decision. May act as an octamer-dependent activator of transcription. Could also play an early role in specific ectodermal cells, and a subsequent role in the embryonic nervous system. Initial expression in cellular blastoderm stage, then in ectodermal stripes during germband extension. Broad expression in the neuroectoderm followed by limitation to discrete subsets of CNS cells, and expression in specific PNS neurons and support cells. Expressed primarily during the first half of embryogenesis. Belongs to the POU transcription factor family. Class-2 subfamily.