Cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a highly conserved RNA-binding protein that plays a fundamental biological role in eukaryotic cells by increasing heterologous protein production. CNBP localizes to the nucleus of cells and functions in the brain, specifically in the anterior visceral endoderm and, subsequently, in the anterior definitive endoderm, anterior neuroectoderm, anterior mesendoderm, headfolds and forebrain. CNBP is necessary for the forebrain induction and specification, and mutations in the CNBP gene lead to severe forebrain truncation as well as various craniofacial defects due to a lack of proper morphogenetic movements of the anterior visceral endoderm during the pre-gastrulation stage. Overexpression of CNBP activates cell proliferation and stimulates the activity of the c-Myc promoter.