该基因编码c2h2型锌指蛋白zic家族的一个成员。这个家族的成员在发育过程中很重要，并与x连锁内脏异种分类和5型无前脑畸形有关。该基因与3号染色体上的一个相关家族成员小脑1的锌指蛋白基因紧密相连。这些连锁基因的杂合缺失与先天性小脑畸形Dandy-Walker有关已鉴定出该基因的多个转录变体。
This gene encodes a member of the ZIC family of C2H2-type zinc finger proteins. Members of this family are important during development, and have been associated with X-linked visceral heterotaxy and holoprosencephaly type 5. This gene is closely linked to the gene encoding zinc finger protein of the cerebellum 1, a related family member on chromosome 3. Heterozygous deletion of these linked genes is involved in Dandy-Walker malformation, which is a congenital cerebellar malformation. Multiple transcript variants have been identified for this gene.