Transcription activator involved in oxidative stress response, specifically during hyphal growth. Regulates the transcription of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and components of the cellular thiol-reducing pathways including the mycelium-specific catalase catB (but not the conidia-specific catalase catA), thioredoxin reductase trxB and thioredoxin thiO (PubMed:17617701). Preferentially binds to promoters with the core binding site 5'-TTA[CG]TAA-3'. Activity of the transcription factor is controlled through oxidation of specific cysteine residues resulting in the alteration of its subcellular location. Activation by hydroperoxides induces nuclear accumulation and as a result NapA transcriptional activity (By similarity). Oxidized napA is found predominantly in the nucleus, while reduced napA is continuously exported to the cytoplasm by CRM1/exportin 1. NapA contains a C-terminal cysteine rich domain (c-CRD), but lacks the N-terminal CRD (n-CRD) found in the yeast homolog YAP1. It probably also contains embedded in the c-CRD a nuclear export signal, with which the nuclear export protein CRM1 may interact in the absence of inter- or intramolecular disulfide bonds (or otherwise oxidized/modified cysteines) within the c-CRD. Oxidative stress induces conformational changes through oxidation of cysteine residues, masking the nuclear export signal, thus abolishing nuclear export by CRM1/exportin 1. Decreases the level of cutinase cut4 during oxidative stress. Belongs to the bZIP family. YAP subfamily.