Forms the heterodimeric complex core-binding factor (CBF) with CBFB. RUNX members modulate the transcription of their target genes through recognizing the core consensus binding sequence 5'-TGTGGT-3', or very rarely, 5'-TGCGGT-3', within their regulatory regions via their runt domain, while CBFB is a non-DNA-binding regulatory subunit that allosterically enhances the sequence-specific DNA-binding capacity of RUNX. The heterodimers bind to the core site of a number of enhancers and promoters, including murine leukemia virus, polyomavirus enhancer, T-cell receptor enhancers, LCK, IL3 and GM-CSF promoters (Probable). Essential for the development of normal hematopoiesis. Acts synergistically with ELF4 to transactivate the IL-3 promoter and with ELF2 to transactivate the BLK promoter. Inhibits KAT6B-dependent transcriptional activation (By similarity). Involved in lineage commitment of immature T cell precursors. CBF complexes repress ZBTB7B transcription factor during cytotoxic (CD8+) T cell development. They bind to RUNX-binding sequence within the ZBTB7B locus acting as transcriptional silencer and allowing for cytotoxic T cell differentiation (PubMed:18258917). CBF complexes binding to the transcriptional silencer is essential for recruitment of nuclear protein complexes that catalyze epigenetic modifications to establish epigenetic ZBTB7B silencing (PubMed:23481257). Controls the anergy and suppressive function of regulatory T-cells (Treg) by associating with FOXP3. Activates the expression of IL2 and IFNG and down-regulates the expression of TNFRSF18, IL2RA and CTLA4, in conventional T-cells (PubMed:17377532). Positively regulates the expression of RORC in T-helper 17 cells (PubMed:21151104).

Isoform 4 shows higher binding activities for target genes and binds TCR-beta-E2 and RAG-1 target site with threefold higher affinity than other isoforms. It is less effective in the context of neutrophil terminal differentiation.