The protein encoded by this gene is a homeobox protein that is similar to the Drosophila 'sine oculis' gene product. This gene is found in a cluster of related genes on chromosome 14 and is thought to be involved in limb development. Defects in this gene are a cause of autosomal dominant deafness type 23 (DFNA23) and branchiootic syndrome type 3 (BOS3). [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].