Transcription factor (PubMed:30291162). Binds to DNA sequence motif 5'-CATNNNNAAATGCAT-3' as a heterodimer with egl-46 (PubMed:30291162). Represses expression of genes involved in differentiation of touch receptor neurons (TRN), probably acting as a heterodimer with egl-46, perhaps by occupying similar cis-regulatory elements as an unc-86/mec-3 heterodimer (PubMed:30291162). Plays a role in cell fate specification of neurons, including the hook neuron HOB, and touch receptor neurons (PubMed:12954713, PubMed:30291162). Involved in male mating behavior, acting in concert with egl-46, via modulation of expression of polycystins lov-1 and pkd-2, homeodomain protein ceh-26, and neuropeptide-like protein nlp-8 (PubMed:12954713). Acts upstream of egl-46 to prevent touch cell differentiation in FLP neurons (PubMed:11274062). Plays a role in neuron differentiation by repressing the expression of zag-1 in FLP neurons, probably acting as a heterodimer with egl-46; because zag-1 represses expression of egl-46 and egl-44, together these proteins form a bistable, negative-feedback loop that regulates the choice between neuronal fates (PubMed:30291162). Also promotes HSN neuron development (PubMed:11274062). In association with egl-46, regulates cell cycle exit in the neuronal Q cell lineage (PubMed:23946438). Plays a role in specifying commissural dendrites of the PVD nociceptive neurons, acting in concert with egl-46 (PubMed:29031632). May be involved in thermal stress response downstream of yap-1 (PubMed:23396260). Interacts (via N-terminus) with egl-46 (via C-terminus); the interaction is direct; the interaction may regulate transcription (PubMed:23946438, PubMed:30291162). Interacts with yap-1 (via WW domain); the interaction may regulate transcription (PubMed:23396260). Expressed in HSN neurons in embryos and in the FLP neurons from the L1 stage through to adults. Not expressed in touch cells. Also expressed in larval hypodermis, intestine, pharyngeal muscle and other neurons. In adults expression is lost from some neurons, is weaker in the hypodermis but remains in the intestine (PubMed:11274062). Expressed in HOB neuron, ray neurons RnA and RnB, and the ray structural cell, Rnst; rays are male-specific genital sensilla (simple sense organs) (PubMed:12954713). Expressed from before gastrulation through to adult (PubMed:11274062). Expressed in HOB, PVX, and PVY neurons (PubMed:12954713). Expressed in most descendants of the ray precursor cells (Rn), including the ray neurons (RnA and RnB) and the ray structure cells at the L4 larval stage; rays are male-specific genital sensilla (simple sense organs) (PubMed:12954713).