This gene encodes a member of the Snail family of C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factors. The encoded protein acts as a transcriptional repressor that binds to E-box motifs and is also likely to repress E-cadherin. SLUG is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) involving E-cadherin repression which is known to play an important role in tumor progression amd neural tube formation. SLUG also has antiapoptotic activity. Mutations in this gene may be associated with sporadic cases of neural tube defects (referenced from Entrez gene).