This gene is an immediate early gene that encodes a protein related to interferon-gamma. This protein may function as a transcriptional co-activator/repressor that controls the growth and differentiation of specific cell types during embryonic development and tissue regeneration. Mutations in this gene are associated with sensory/motor neuropathy with ataxia. This gene may also be involved in modulating the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.