Function
Transcription factor that plays a key role in neuronal differentiation: acts as a pioneer transcription factor, accessing closed chromatin to allow other factors to bind and activate neural pathways (PubMed:24243019). Directly binds the E box motif (5'-CANNTG-3') on promoters and promotes transcription of neuronal genes (PubMed:20107439, PubMed:24243019, PubMed:27281220). The combination of three transcription factors, ASCL1, POU3F2/BRN2 and MYT1L, is sufficient to reprogram fibroblasts and other somatic cells into induced neuronal (iN) cells in vitro (PubMed:20107439, PubMed:24243019, PubMed:27281220). Plays a role at early stages of development of specific neural lineages in most regions of the CNS, and of several lineages in the PNS (PubMed:8217843). Essential for the generation of olfactory and autonomic neurons (PubMed:8221886). Acts synergistically with FOXN4 to specify the identity of V2b neurons rather than V2a from bipotential p2 progenitors during spinal cord neurogenesis, probably through DLL4-NOTCH signaling activation (PubMed:16020526, PubMed:17728344).