Acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor. Homodimer or heterodimer. Binds DNA as a homodimer or a heterodimer (By similarity). Expressed in the presumptive lens ectoderm at stage 24. Expressed in the pronephros from stage 28 onwards. Expressed in the forming tubules but also in the glomus of the pronephros from stage 33. Expressed in cells of the optic vesicle in a dorso-temporal location and in cells showing the expected dorsal location of Rohon-Beard neurons in the neural tube at stage 35. Belongs to the bZIP family. Maf subfamily.