Transcriptional regulator that is essential for the utilization of a number of organic sulfur sources of either environmental or human origin (PubMed:21317335). Required for aliphatic sulfonate utilization (PubMed:16997956). Binds to DNA at target promoter regions (PubMed:16997956, PubMed:21317335). Targets include the ssuDBC operon, the tauABC operon, three tauD-type genes and atsA (PubMed:16997956, PubMed:21317335). Mutant grows well with sulfate, but is unable to utilize ethanesulfonate as a sulfur source. Belongs to the LysR transcriptional regulatory family.