Enables DNA-binding transcription activator activity, RNA polymerase II-specific and RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Involved in determination of left/right asymmetry in nervous system and positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Acts upstream of or within anterior/posterior pattern specification and heart looping. Located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Is expressed in several structures, including central nervous system; egg cylinder; embryo ectoderm; embryo mesenchyme; and visual system. Used to study Goldenhar syndrome and visceral heterotaxy. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in X-linked VACTERL association; situs inversus; and visceral heterotaxy. Orthologous to human ZIC3 (Zic family member 3). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]