Forkhead-type transcription factor. Binds to the promoters of genes that contain the daf-16 binding element (DBE), TTGTTTAC, in their regulatory region. Functions in the Insulin/IGF-1-like signaling (IIS) mediated pathway which affects lipogenesis, lifespan, starvation survival, heat shock and oxidative stress responses, sleep, and dauer formation. Longevity signaling predominantly arises from expression in the intestine. Daf-16 transcriptional activity is negatively regulated by cytoplasmic sequestration by association with ftt-2. Inhibition is required for the carbon dioxide (CO2) avoidance response. Upon loss of inhibition, daf-16 translocates to the nucleus to regulate genes that result in delayed reproduction and growth while increasing stress resistance starvation tolerance and longevity. Association with arginine methyltransferase prmt-1 prevents phosphorylation and allows for translocation to the nucleus and the subsequent transcription of longevity-related genes. Modulation of its activity by cGMP levels in sensory neurons regulates lifespan. Has a protective role against muscle dystrophy. Involved in mediating protection against aberrant protein aggregation proteotoxicity. Influences transcription of genes that code for proteins involved in immunity as part of a general stress response. Targets genes that inhibit and stimulate tumor growth. Targets kinases, phosphatases and transcription factors that are primarily involved in signaling and gene regulation. Thought to regulate ins-7 in FOXO-to-FOXO signaling, which coordinates daf-16 expression. Activity is positively regulated by shc-1-mediated inhibition of daf-2 and activation of JNK pathway. Functions by indirect interaction with jnk-1 of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Involved in increased proteasome activity by activating expression of rpn-6.1 in response to proteotoxic stress, leading to enhanced assembly of the 26S proteasome, followed by higher proteasome activity. Also regulates proteasome activity in the intestine by preventing expression of deubiquitinase ubh-4. Represses transcription of natc-1. Involved in regulation of srh-234 expression. Binds to the promoter of the AMPK-gamma regulatory subunit, aakg-4, and activates its transcription. Also activates transcription of AMPK-gamma regulatory subunit, aakg-1. Maintains endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function by inducing protein degradation and elimination to remove misfolded secretory proteins from the ER independently of the ire-1/xbp-1 unfolded protein response pathway. Regulates epidermal innate immunity to nematophagous fungal infection and physical wounding which trigger bli-3 induced ROS release, leading to daf-16 activation independently of daf-2 signaling. May negatively regulate resistance to stress caused by oxidized cholesterol adducts by preventing the activation of daf-9 and nuclear hormone receptor daf-12, two members of the steroid signaling pathway. Promotes apoptosis during embryonic development. Probably through the regulation of the autophagy genes atg-18 and atg-16.2, plays a role in regulating stem cell number in the germline during larval development. Plays a role in a type of aversive gustatory associated learning called salt avoidance learning. Plays a role in regulating gene transcription in response to white light exposure. Binds to the promoter of dex-1 to positively regulate its expression in seam cells during the dauer phase.
