该基因编码一种在胚胎发育中起重要作用的碱性螺旋环螺旋（bHLH）转录因子编码的蛋白质同时形成同二聚体和异二聚体，它们与DNA E盒序列结合，并在颅骨发育过程中调节参与颅骨缝合闭合的基因转录这种蛋白质还可能调节神经管闭合、肢体发育和棕色脂肪代谢。该基因在多种人类癌症中高甲基化和高表达，编码的蛋白促进肿瘤细胞的侵袭和转移。该基因突变可导致人类saethre-chotzen综合征，其特征是颅骨骨化、上睑下垂和高血压。[由RefSeq提供，2017年8月]
This gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that plays an important role in embryonic development. The encoded protein forms both homodimers and heterodimers that bind to DNA E box sequences and regulate the transcription of genes involved in cranial suture closure during skull development. This protein may also regulate neural tube closure, limb development and brown fat metabolism. This gene is hypermethylated and overexpressed in multiple human cancers, and the encoded protein promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Mutations in this gene cause Saethre-Chotzen syndrome in human patients, which is characterized by craniosynostosis, ptosis and hypertelorism. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2017]