Transcriptional activator that binds to the consensus sequence 5'-[AT]GATA[AG]-3' and variations thereof. During embryonic development, required for specification of cell fate of major hypodermal (epidermal) cells at the blastomere stage. The requirement is true for all four lineages derived from ABarp, ABpra and C blastomeres. Required for seam cell maintenance in late embryogenesis, for proper formation of dauer larvae and locomotion. Regulates expression of bro-1, a regulator of seam cell proliferation, via a GATA-like binding motif. Probably represses expression of eff-1 to prevent fusion of seam cells with the hypodermal syncytium. Involved in regulating expression of elt-3, a probable downstream target in hypodermal development pathways, in dorsal and ventral hypodermal cells. During postembryonic development, has a role in sperm development. Specifically, binds the bipartite consensus sequence 5'-AGATCTx(8)GATAA-3' found in genes with sperm-specific expression. Furthermore, regulates timing of developmental steps, possibly in parallel with daf-12, by controlling the expression of the let-7 family of miRNAs which in turn determines the transcription of heterochronic genes such as lin-41.
