Enables DNA-binding transcription activator activity, RNA polymerase II-specific and RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA binding activity. Involved in embryonic hindlimb morphogenesis; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-templated; and positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II. Acts upstream of or within animal organ development; hindlimb morphogenesis; and myoblast fate commitment. Located in cytoplasm and nucleus. Part of transcription regulator complex. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; brain; embryo mesenchyme; genitourinary system; and sensory organ. Used to study clubfoot. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in clubfoot. Orthologous to human PITX1 (paired like homeodomain 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]