Transcription activator required for resistance to arsenic compounds and for a regulated expression of ACR2, ACR3 and YCF1. Transcriptional activity is controled by regulated degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in absence of arsenic (PubMed:17200139). Arsenic-exposure results in stabilization and increased transcriptional activity (PubMed:15147884, PubMed:17200139). Homodimer. Predominantly localized in the cytoplasm under non-stress conditions and redistributed into the nucleus after HOG1 phosphorylation in the presence of arsenic (PubMed:15147884, PubMed:31772124). The major karyopherinse CRM1 mediates nuclear export which is also regulated by arsenic stress (PubMed:15147884). Phosphorylation by HOG1 promotes nuclear localization in the presence of arsenic. Leads to hypersensitivity to arsenic (PubMed:9234670). Impairs the arsenic-dependent induction of arsenate reductase ARR2, arsenite transporter ARR3 and vacuolar transporter YCF1 (PubMed:11527213, PubMed:15147884). One of 8 closely related fungi-specific YAP proteins (YAP1 to YAP8), which all seem to be transcription activators of the environmental stress response and metabolism control pathways and to have similar but not identical DNA binding specificities. Belongs to the bZIP family. YAP subfamily.