Component of the velvet transcription factor complex that controls sexual/asexual developmental ratio in response to light, promoting sexual development in the darkness while stimulating asexual sporulation under illumination (PubMed:20543063). The velvet complex acts as a global regulator for secondary metabolite gene expression (PubMed:22439693). Controls the expression of the penicillin gene cluster (PubMed:20543063, PubMed:22439693). Positively controls the expression of the class V chitinase chiB1 (PubMed:21816879). Positively controls the expression of the transcription factor atfA (PubMed:25557366). Required for cell wall integrity and controls hyphal branching (PubMed:20543063). Component of the heterotrimeric velvet complex composed of laeA, veA and velB; velA acting as a bridging protein between laeA and velB (PubMed:20543063). Interacts with kapA (PubMed:20543063). Interacts with vosA and velc (PubMed:23264641). Enriched in the nucleus in the dark (By similarity). The C-terminal PEST domain is a region rich in proline, glutamic acid, serine and threonine residues that is required for the light-dependent regulation of development and secondary metabolism (By similarity). Substantially down-regulates penicillin biosynthesis genes pcbAB, pcbC, and penDE (PubMed:20543063). Up-regulates expression of laeA (PubMed:20543063). Leads to light-independent conidial formation, dichotomous branching of hyphae, and pellet formation in shaking cultures (PubMed:20543063). Decreases the expression of the class V chitinase chiB1 (PubMed:21816879). Decreases the expression of the transcription factor atfA (PubMed:25557366). Belongs to the velvet family. VeA subfamily.