May bind to DNA (By similarity). Induces neural and neural crest differentiation. Does not induce anterior neural tissue. At mid-gastrula stage (stage 11.5), weakly expressed in the prospective neural fold. Expressed in the neural plate border region at early neurula stage (stage 15) with strongest expression in the prospective regions of the hyoid and branchial crests. Expression in the dorsal central nervous system (CNS) continues through late neurula stage and early tail bud stages with expression strongest in the olfactory placode and expression levels increasing as development progresses. Becomes expressed in somites. Expressed zygotically. First detected at mid-gastrula stage. Belongs to the GLI C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family.