Transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes in response to changes in temperature. In particular, binds to the promoter region of genes such as asp-17 in response to severe cold to warm temperature transitions to promote gene expression. Promotes stress-induced death, particularly in older animals, following cold shock followed by warming and this may have evolved as a form of kin survival under thermal stress conditions, favoring the survival of younger animals. Negatively regulated by the microRNA mir-60 (PubMed:27623524, PubMed:29664006). Induced in response to thermal stress in conditions where severe cold temperatures are followed by warmer temperatures (PubMed:29664006). RNAi-mediated knockdown reduces the lifespan extension phenotype of the mir-60 loss of function mutant.