Acts as a transcriptional activator or repressor. Plays a pivotal role in regulating lineage-specific hematopoiesis by repressing ETS1-mediated transcription of erythroid-specific genes in myeloid cells. Binds DNA via its basic region-leucine zipper domain. Homodimer or heterodimer with other bHLH-Zip transcription factors. Binds DNA as a homodimer or a heterodimer (By similarity). Interacts with ETS1. Expressed in bursa, gut, liver, spleen, bone marrow and brain. Belongs to the bZIP family. Maf subfamily.