Functions with the transcription factor TfAP-2 to regulate octopamine neuronal signaling pathways that control behaviors such as male aggression, male mating, and the initiation of feeding (PubMed:30231996, PubMed:24142897, PubMed:25187989). Required for TfAP-2 transcriptional activity in octopaminergic neurons (PubMed:24142897, PubMed:25187989). Functions with TfAP-2 to regulate expression of genes which are involved in promoting octopamine production and secretion from octopaminergic neurons, such as Tbh and Vmat (PubMed:24142897, PubMed:25187989). Octopamine then modulates feeding and male aggression by regulating the expression of the satiation hormone Dsk in insulin-producing cells (IPCs) (PubMed:24142897, PubMed:25187989). Functions with octopamine and Dsk as part of a negative feedback loop to prevent overeating; acts with TfAP-2 to regulate octopamine signaling pathways that initiate feeding, then octopamine activates expression of Dsk which inhibits consummatory behavior (PubMed:25187989). May also be involved in negatively regulating nociception in larvae to prevent spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia (PubMed:30231996). Up-regulated in adults by starvation for 48 hours, whereas no up-regulation was detected at 24 hours. RNAi-mediated knockdown in adult octopaminergic neurons, disrupts TfAP-2 expression resulting in behavioral abnormalities such as increased male aggression, reduced walking pace and overeating (PubMed:24142897, PubMed:25187989). Males display an increase in low-intensity fighting, with males performing more wing flicks and shoves during a 20 min fighting bout (PubMed:24142897). Males also display increased courtship behaviors, such as singing, circling and abdomen bends, towards males and virgin females (PubMed:24142897). Adults also eat significantly more over a 24 hr period and some overeat after starvation (PubMed:25187989). Inhibits expression of TfAP-2 in adults fed a normal diet, and inhibits the up-regulation of TfAP-2 in adults fed a low calorie diet or undergoing starvation (PubMed:25187989). Adults display decreased expression of the octopamine synthesis genes Tbh and Vmat, and the octopmaine signaling gene Dsk (PubMed:24142897). RNAi-mediated knockdown in class I, II, III, and IV md neurons, results in hypersensitive nociception behaviors, with larvae displaying reduced nocifensive escape locomotion (NEL) response latency to a 42 degrees Celsius heat probe (PubMed:30231996).