Transcription factor that regulates specifically the terrein biosynthesis gene cluster (PubMed:24816227, PubMed:26173180, PubMed:25852654). Recognizes CGG direct repeat consensus sequences in the terrein cluster forming the high affinity consensus motif TCGGHHWYHCGGH (PubMed:25852654). Expression is induced by methionine (PubMed:26173180). Nitrogen starvation induces expression of terR and promotes terrein production during fruit infection, via regulation by areA and atfA (PubMed:26173180). Iron limitation acts as a third independent signal for terrein cluster induction via the iron response regulator hapX (PubMed:26173180). Impairs the expression of the terrein gene cluster and subsequent production of terrein (PubMed:24816227, PubMed:25852654). Terrein shows anticancer activity on various tumors including cervical carcinoma, ovarian cancer, and head and neck cancer (PubMed:23417151, PubMed:25318762, PubMed:27127118, PubMed:25592371). The secondary metabolite acts as angiogenesis inhibitors through the inhibition of angiogenin secretion (PubMed:18776656, PubMed:27127118). Terrein has also anti-inflammatory activity (PubMed:18358890). It shows an alleviative function of age-related inflammation characterized as an anti-oxidant and might therefore be a useful nutraceutical compound for anti-aging (PubMed:26416516). Terrein may enhance osseointegration by decreasing the level of ROS and has a potentially synergistic effect on osteoblast differentiation (PubMed:21104936). Terrein has also been shown to act as a melanogenesis inhibitor (PubMed:15558216, PubMed:15603975, PubMed:19493001).