Plays a role as a transcriptional activator or repressor (PubMed:14671321). Inhibits several cytokine signaling pathways, such as TGFB1, activin-A/INHBA and BMP4 by interfering with the transcriptional stimulatory activity of transcription factors, such as MSX2, FAST2, SMAD2 and SMAD3 during hematopoietic cell differentiation (PubMed:14671321). Plays a role in terminal differentiation of interneurons, such as amacrine and bipolar cells in the developing retina (By similarity). Likely to play a regulatory role in the development of the ventral forebrain (By similarity). May play a role in craniofacial patterning and morphogenesis and may be involved in the early development of diencephalic subdivisions (By similarity). Interacts with SMAD4 (via homeobox DNA-binding domain) (PubMed:14671321). Interacts (via homeobox DNA-binding domain) with POU4F2; this interaction suppresses DLX1-mediated transcriptional activity in postnatal retina and enhances retinal ganglion cell (RGC) differentiation (By similarity). Expressed in hematopoietic cell lines. The homeobox DNA-binding domain is necessary for its nuclear localization, transcriptional and erythroid differentiation activities (PubMed:14671321). Belongs to the distal-less homeobox family.