Appears to perform a very early function in establishing the identity of a subset of cells that originate in the region of the ventricular zone in the developing spinal cord and in the hindbrain. Localized to the central nervous system during embryogenesis. It is found restricted to the rostro-caudal and dorso-ventral regions of the hindbrain. In the ventricular zone of the spinal cord, it localizes to the dorsal part of the basal plate. In the adult, it is detected in ovary. First detected between days 2.5 and 3 of incubation (stages 14-15 and 18-17) until day 10 (stage 36). Maximal levels are observed at stages when the spinal cord has maximal mitotic activity. It becomes undetectable when the ventricular zone ceases to exist. Belongs to the H2.0 homeobox family.