This genes codes for a member of an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors that plays a crucial role in embryonic development. The family is characterized by the presence of the DNA-binding T-box domain and is divided into five sub-families based on sequence conservation in this domain. The encoded protein belongs to the vertebrate specific Tbx1 sub-family. The protein acts as a transcriptional repressor by antagonizing transcriptional activators in the T-box family. The protein forms homo- or heterodimers with other transcription factors of the T-box family or other transcription factors. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2012].