Transcriptional activator activated by proteolytic cleavage through regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP), probably via metalloprotease activity. Regulates gibberellic acid-mediated salt-responsive repression of seed germination and flowering via FT, thus delaying seed germination under high salinity conditions. Localized primarily in plasma membrane as dormant form and, upon salt stress, is processed into a transcriptionally active and nuclear form after a proteolytic cleavage through regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). Expressed in seeds, leaves, roots and inflorescence (PubMed:17410378). Expressed in roots, rosette leaves, cauline leaves, shoot apex, stems and flowers (PubMed:17158162). Accumulates in imbibed seeds (PubMed:19704545). Detected in early stages of seed development, especially in the basal tip of immature embryo. Particularly expressed in vascular tissues of inflorescence stems, roots, leaves and petioles (PubMed:17410378). By high salt stress (PubMed:19704545, PubMed:17410378, PubMed:18363782, PubMed:19704528). Repressed by gibberellic acid (GA), but induced by the GA biosynthetic inhibitor paclabutrazol (PAC) (PubMed:18363782). Accumulates transiently in seeds upon imbibition (PubMed:19704545, PubMed:17410378, PubMed:18363782, PubMed:19704528). Induced by drought stress (PubMed:17158162). The NAC domain includes a DNA binding domain and a dimerization domain. Proteolytically cleaved, probably by metalloprotease activity. This cleavage mediates a translocation from the plasma membrane to the nucleus. In ntl8-1, no discernible phenotypic changes except slight differences in lateral root growth and flowering time, as well as reduced lateral root growth rate. Insensitive to high salt.