Acts during endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER) by activating unfolded protein response (UPR) target genes via direct binding to the UPR element (UPRE). Binds DNA preferably to the CRE-like element 5'-GATGACGTG[TG]N(3)[AT]T-3', and also to some TPA response elements (TRE). Binds to the HLA DR-alpha promoter. Binds to the Tax-responsive element (TRE) of HTLV-I.