Transcriptional activator required for the development of normal hearing, sense of balance and kidney function. Required for the expression of SLC26A4/PDS, JAG1 and COCH in a subset of epithelial cells and the development of the endolymphatic system in the inner ear. Also required for the expression of SLC4A1/AE1, SLC4A9/AE4, ATP6V1B1 and the differentiation of intercalated cells in the epithelium of distal renal tubules (By similarity).
Results of transiently transfected vas deferens cells with either the -33G wild-type or the -33A variant CFTR directed luciferase reporter gene confirmed that the -33A variant, which alters the FOXI1 (Forkhead box I1) binding, significantly decreases the CFTR promoter activity.