Sequence-specific transcription factor which is part of a developmental regulatory system that provides cells with specific positional identities on the anterior-posterior axis. Required for induction of SELE/E-selectin and VCAM1 on the endothelial cells surface at sites of inflammation (PubMed:22269951). Positively regulates EIF4E- mediated mRNA nuclear export and also increases the translation efficiency of ODC mRNA in the cytoplasm by competing with factors which repress EIF4E activity such as PRH (By similarity). . This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000078399 (HOXA9, homeobox A9).