This gene encodes a nuclear transcription factor that belongs to the NK-linked or NK-like (NKL) subfamily of homeobox genes. The encoded protein is required for normal development of the spleen during embryogenesis. This protein is also involved in specification of neuronal cell fates. Ectopic expression of this gene due to chromosomal translocations is associated with certain T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2010].