Enables double-stranded DNA binding activity and identical protein binding activity. Involved in several processes, including cellular response to magnetism; regulation of neuron differentiation; and response to epidermal growth factor. Predicted to be located in neuronal cell body and nucleus. Predicted to be part of RNA polymerase II transcription regulator complex. Biomarker of status epilepticus. Orthologous to human ASCL1 (achaete-scute family bHLH transcription factor 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]