Has sequence-specific DNA-binding activity and can function as transcriptional repressor (in vitro) (PubMed:21110952). May be a regulator of cell cycle: THAP5 overexpression in human cell lines causes cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase (PubMed:19502560). Interacts with HTRA2; under apoptotic conditions (PubMed:19502560). Interacts with ABRAXAS2 (PubMed:21195082). Detected in heart (PubMed:19502560, PubMed:21195082). Detected in brain and muscle (at protein level) (PubMed:19502560). Highly expressed in the heart. Also found in brain and skeletal muscle (PubMed:19502560, PubMed:21195082). Up-regulated both in response to UV light treatment and cisplatin, agents that cause DNA damage (at protein level). Cleaved by HTRA2 during apoptosis. Truncated N-terminus.