Transcription factor that regulates the expression of the asc-1 and asc-2 gene clusters that mediate the biosynthesis of both ascochlorin and ascofuranone, a strong inhibitor of cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidases and a promising drug candidate against African trypanosomiasis (PubMed:30952781). Binds the 5'-CGGYGNNTTW-3' motif within promoters of the target genes (Probable). Expression is induced on AF medium. Ascofuranone is a specific inhibitor of trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO), and quickly kills African trypanosomes in vitro and cures infected mice. As an essential factor for trypanosome survival, TAO is a promising drug target due to the absence of alternative oxidases in the mammalian host.