Acts as a transcription factor that recognizes and binds to the sequence 5'-[GA]TTA[CT]GTAA[CT]-3', a sequence present in many promoters (PubMed:16310763, PubMed:21502138). Involved in the development of the excretory duct cell, by positively modulating embryonic transcription of putative transcription factor lin-48, acting in concert with cell death specification protein ces-2 (PubMed:16310763). Negatively modulates expression of key autophagy-related genes, bec-1/ATG6 and lgg-1/ATG8, and may link together autophagy and apoptosis during development (PubMed:21502138). Positively modulates expression of neuropeptide pigment dispersing factor homologs pdf-1 and pdf-2 (PubMed:19686386). Interacts with cell death specification protein ces-2. Expression begins in the embryo and persists into larval and adult stages (PubMed:16310763). Expressed in the excretory duct cell, as well as other cells, at larval L3 stage (PubMed:16310763). Phosphorylated by mitogen-activated protein kinases pmk-2 and pmk-3 (PubMed:11703092). May be responsive to osmotic stress (PubMed:11703092). Belongs to the bZIP family.