Transcription factor GATA-5 is is a transcription factor that contains two GATA-type zinc fingers. The encoded protein is known to bind to hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha (HNF-1alpha), and this interaction is essential for cooperative activation of the intestinal lactase-phlorizin hydrolase promoter. In other organisms, similar proteins may be involved in the establishment of cardiac smooth muscle cell diversity.

GATA5 Binds to the functionally important CEF-1 nuclear protein binding site in the cardiac-specific slow/cardiac troponin C transcriptional enhancer. May play an important role in the transcriptional program(s) that underlies smooth muscle cell diversity