Participates in sensory organ patterning by antagonizing the neurogenic activity of the Achaete-scute complex (AS-C). It lacks a basic DNA-binding domain but is able to form heterodimers with other HLH proteins, thereby inhibiting DNA binding. May sequester proneural proteins in complexes inefficient for DNA interaction. EMC also affects vein differentiation. Inhibits the activity of AS-C proteins by forming an non-DNA binding heterodimer. Heterodimer with other HLH proteins.