Transcriptional repressor which binds neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) and represses neuronal gene transcription in non-neuronal cells (By similarity). Plays a role in the early development of the nervous system and is required for proper patterning of the neuroectoderm during gastrulation. This involves the correct speciation of the neuroepithelial domain and adequate development of the non-neural ectoderm. Expressed in whole ectoderm at early gastrula stage. During the early neurula stage, it is restricted to the anterior and lateral neural ridge areas. At the neural tube stage, it is expressed in the presomitic mesoderm. Later, it is detected surrounding the anterior nervous system and the developing eye and slightly in the migratory neural crests. The C2H2-type zinc finger 5 is required for nuclear localization.