Ashwin Gene Expression Profiles in Oocytes, Preimplantation Embryos, and Fetal and Adult Bovine Tissues.

The gene, originally identified in , was found to be expressed first in the neural plate and later in the embryonic brain, eyes, and spinal cord. Functional studies of suggest that it participates in cell survival and anteroposterior patterning. Furthermore, is expressed zygotically in this species, which suggests that it participates in embryonic development.