Enables sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Acts upstream of or within regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II; somatic stem cell population maintenance; and spongiotrophoblast differentiation. Located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; brain; early conceptus; genitourinary system; and musculoskeletal system. Orthologous to human ASCL2 (achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 2). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]