Predicted to enable DNA-binding transcription factor activity, RNA polymerase II-specific and RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Predicted to be involved in regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II and type B pancreatic cell differentiation. Predicted to act upstream of or within regulation of DNA-templated transcription. Predicted to be active in nucleus. Is expressed in endoderm. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in cerebral infarction; hyperglycemia; maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 4; pancreatic agenesis 1; and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Orthologous to human PDX1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1).