Transcriptional regulator involved in different processes such as glucose metabolism, aerobic glycolysis and autophagy (By similarity). Recognizes and binds the forkhead DNA sequence motif (5'-GTAAACA-3') and can both act as a transcription activator or repressor, depending on the context (By similarity). Acts as a key regulator of metabolic reprogramming towards aerobic glycolysis, a process in which glucose is converted to lactate in the presence of oxygen. Acts as a negative regulator of autophagy in skeletal muscle: in response to starvation, enters the nucleus, binds the promoters of autophagy genes and represses their expression, preventing proteolysis of skeletal muscle proteins (By similarity). In neurula embryos, expressed strongly in the future floor plate and weakly in the neural crest progenitor cells. As development progresses, expression becomes stronger in neural crest cells. At stage 24, expressed in the eye, brain, branchial arches and in the presomitic mesoderm in the posterior embryo. At stage 29, additionally expressed in the pronephric tubules. At stage 35, expressed in the migrating lateral muscle precursors of the abdomen. Additionally, the developing proctodeum and head structures including the branchial arches, eyes and otic vesicles continue to show expression. Expression also persists in the nephros. Expressed both maternally and zygotically. Expressed throughout all embryonic stages. Maternal expression persists during early cleavage stages. Expression levels decrease at the onset of gastrulation, increase at the start of neurulation and are then maintained throughout future embryonic stages. The C-terminal part of the DNA-binding domain may contribute to DNA recognition specificity. Contaminating sequence. Potential poly-A sequence.