Based on limited published evidence, UBTFL1 is essential for proliferation of inner cell mass and trophectodermal cells during peri-implantation development. As a transcription factor, it localizes to the nucleus and functions in positive regulation of RNA polymerase I-mediated transcription through sequence-specific DNA binding at core promoter regions. UBTFL1 exhibits protein-binding activity and is classified as an RNA polymerase I general transcription initiation factor. Recent evidence indicates UBTFL1 is upregulated during zygotic genome activation in porcine embryos 1, suggesting roles in early developmental gene expression programs.