This gene encodes a member of the ZIC family of C2H2-type zinc finger proteins. Members of this family are important during development, and have been associated with X-linked visceral heterotaxy and holoprosencephaly type 5. This gene is closely linked to the gene encoding zinc finger protein of the cerebellum 1, a related family member on chromosome 3. Heterozygous deletion of these linked genes is involved in Dandy-Walker malformation, which is a congenital cerebellar malformation. Multiple transcript variants have been identified for this gene.