Transcriptional regulator involved in developmental processes. Functions in association with APBB1, SET and HDAC factors as a transcriptional repressor, that inhibits the expression of CASP4. TSHZ3-mediated transcription repression involves the recruitment of histone deacetylases HDAC1 and HDAC2. Associates with chromatin in a region surrounding the CASP4 transcriptional start site(s) (PubMed:19343227). Regulates the development of neurons involved in both respiratory rhythm and airflow control. Promotes maintenance of nucleus ambiguus (nA) motoneurons, which govern upper airway function, and establishes a respiratory rhythm generator (RRG) activity compatible with survival at birth. Involved in the differentiation of the proximal uretic smooth muscle cells during developmental processes. Involved in the up-regulation of myocardin, that directs the expression of smooth muscle cells in the proximal ureter (By similarity). Involved in the modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term synaptic potentiation (By similarity). Interacts (via homeobox domain) with APBB1 (via PID domain 1). Interacts (via N-terminus) with HDAC1 and HDAC2; the interaction is direct. Found in a trimeric complex with APBB1 and HDAC1; the interaction between HDAC1 and APBB1 is mediated by TSHZ3. Colocalizes with APBB1 in axonal growth cone (By similarity). Colocalizes with APBB1 in the nucleus. Expressed in brain; strongly reduced in post-mortem elderly subjects with Alzheimer disease (PubMed:18776146, PubMed:19343227). Expressed in the fetal neocortex (PubMed:27668656). Expressed in peri-urothelial cells of the proximal ureter and renal pelvis at 9 weeks of gestation. TSHZ3 haploinsufficiency due to proximal chromosome 19q13.11 deletions causes a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, absent or delayed speech, intellectual disability, and autistic features. Some patients may have reanal tract abnormalities. Belongs to the teashirt C2H2-type zinc-finger protein family. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. Life's first breath - Issue 122 of October 2010