DNA-binding protein that seems to act as a transcription factor (PubMed:19584537). Involved in the regulation of neuronal differentiation, acts upon JNK-signaling pathway activation and plays a role in neurite outgrowth in hippocampal cells (By similarity). May mediate with FIBP FGF-signaling in the establishment of laterality in the embryo (By similarity). Promotes cell motility, seems to stimulate tumor metastasis (PubMed:22120713). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:B7SXM5, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q6P7D3, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19584537, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22120713}. This is the function of ENSG00000160888 (IER2, immediate early response 2).