该基因编码一个转录因子，包含碱性螺旋环螺旋和亮氨酸拉链结构特征。调节黑素细胞视网膜色素上皮的分化和发育，并负责黑素生成酶基因的色素细胞特异性转录。该基因的杂合子突变引起听觉色素综合征，如Waardenburg综合征2型和Tietz综合征。另外，还发现了编码不同亚型的剪接转录变体。
This gene encodes a transcription factor that contains both basic helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper structural features. It regulates the differentiation and development of melanocytes retinal pigment epithelium and is also responsible for pigment cell-specific transcription of the melanogenesis enzyme genes. Heterozygous mutations in the this gene cause auditory-pigmentary syndromes, such as Waardenburg syndrome type 2 and Tietz syndrome. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been identified.