Enables HMG box domain binding activity. Acts upstream of or within anterior/posterior pattern specification; cartilage development; and embryonic organ morphogenesis. Predicted to be located in nucleoplasm. Predicted to be active in nucleus. Is expressed in several structures, including embryo mesenchyme; nervous system; respiratory system; skin; and urinary system. Orthologous to human HOXC4 (homeobox C4). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]