Enables several functions, including E-box binding activity; Krueppel-associated box domain binding activity; and promoter-specific chromatin binding activity. Involved in several processes, including animal organ development; histone deacetylation; and regulation of gene expression. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including negative regulation of signal transduction; negative regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II; and nervous system development. Located in heterochromatin; neuronal cell body; and nucleus. Part of NuRD complex and transcription repressor complex. Is expressed in several structures, including brain; early conceptus; embryo mesenchyme; genitourinary system; and sensory organ. Orthologous to human HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]