该基因编码参与调节胚胎发育和确定细胞命运的转录因子SOX（SRY相关HMG盒）家族的一个成员。编码蛋白与其它蛋白形成蛋白复合物后可作为转录激活剂。该蛋白作为核质穿梭蛋白，对神经嵴和周围神经系统发育具有重要意义。该基因突变与Waardenburg-Shah和Waardenburg-Hirschsprung病有关。
This gene encodes a member of the SOX (SRY-related HMG-box) family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of embryonic development and in the determination of the cell fate. The encoded protein may act as a transcriptional activator after forming a protein complex with other proteins. This protein acts as a nucleocytoplasmic shuttle protein and is important for neural crest and peripheral nervous system development. Mutations in this gene are associated with Waardenburg-Shah and Waardenburg-Hirschsprung disease.