Has sequence-specific DNA-binding activity and can function as transcriptional repressor (in vitro). May be a regulator of cell cycle: THAP5 overexpression in human cell lines causes cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Interacts with HTRA2; under apoptotic conditions. Interacts with ABRAXAS2. Cleaved by HTRA2 during apoptosis. It is uncertain whether Met-1 or Met-2 is the initiator.