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26 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 14 days ago
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KLF5
KLF transcription factor 5
Chromosome 13 · 13q22.1
NCBI Gene: 688Ensembl: ENSG00000102554.15HGNC: HGNC:6349UniProt: Q13887
291PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
1Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Transcription Factor
RESEARCH IMPACT
Trending
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
RNA polymerase II cis-regulatory region sequence-specific DNA bindingsequence-specific double-stranded DNA bindingDNA-binding transcription activator activity, RNA polymerase II-specificnucleoplasmneurodegenerative diseasecolorectal cancerallergic rhinitisopen-angle glaucoma
✦AI Summary

KLF5 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor that recognizes GC box promoter elements and activates target gene transcription via RNA polymerase II 1. KLF5 functions as a critical regulator in multiple disease pathways. In diabetic kidney disease, lactate-induced histone H3K14 lactylation increases KLF5 expression, which then binds the CDH1 promoter to suppress E-cadherin transcription, accelerating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and renal fibrosis; KLF5 knockdown attenuates disease progression 1. In diabetic cardiomyopathy, FOXO1 directly binds the KLF5 promoter to increase its expression, leading KLF5 to activate NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), which generates oxidative stress and induces ceramide accumulation and cardiac dysfunction; KLF5 inhibition reverses these effects 2. In cancer immunotherapy, KLF5 promotes immunosuppression by binding the COX2 promoter and increasing prostaglandin E2 production, which inhibits CD8+ T cell infiltration; KLF5 inhibition synergizes with anti-PD1 therapy 3. In ovarian cancer, super-enhancer-driven KLF5 forms transcriptional complexes with EHF and ELF3 to enhance RAD51 expression, promoting DNA repair and PARP inhibitor resistance 4. Additionally, KLF5 participates in pulmonary vascular remodeling via NOTCH3 activation 5, gastric intestinal metaplasia through STAT3-dependent pathways 6, and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression as part of core regulatory circuitry 7. These diverse functions establish KLF5 as a pleiotropic oncogenic transcription factor with therapeutic potential across multiple disease contexts.

Sources cited
1
KLF5 is a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factor that recognizes GC box promoter elements and activates target gene transcription via RNA polymerase II .
PMID: 38925041
2
In diabetic cardiomyopathy, FOXO1 directly binds the KLF5 promoter to increase its expression, leading KLF5 to activate NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), which generates oxidative stress and induces ceramide accumulation and cardiac dysfunction; KLF5 inhibition reverses these effects .
PMID: 33539225
3
In cancer immunotherapy, KLF5 promotes immunosuppression by binding the COX2 promoter and increasing prostaglandin E2 production, which inhibits CD8+ T cell infiltration; KLF5 inhibition synergizes with anti-PD1 therapy .
PMID: 36923542
4
In ovarian cancer, super-enhancer-driven KLF5 forms transcriptional complexes with EHF and ELF3 to enhance RAD51 expression, promoting DNA repair and PARP inhibitor resistance .
PMID: 37702443
5
Additionally, KLF5 participates in pulmonary vascular remodeling via NOTCH3 activation , gastric intestinal metaplasia through STAT3-dependent pathways , and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression as part of core regulatory circuitry .
PMID: 39996311
6
Additionally, KLF5 participates in pulmonary vascular remodeling via NOTCH3 activation , gastric intestinal metaplasia through STAT3-dependent pathways , and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression as part of core regulatory circuitry .
PMID: 36067404
7
Additionally, KLF5 participates in pulmonary vascular remodeling via NOTCH3 activation , gastric intestinal metaplasia through STAT3-dependent pathways , and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression as part of core regulatory circuitry .
PMID: 32619460
Disease Associationsⓘ20
neurodegenerative diseaseOpen Targets
0.52Moderate
colorectal cancerOpen Targets
0.51Moderate
allergic rhinitisOpen Targets
0.47Moderate
open-angle glaucomaOpen Targets
0.46Moderate
prostate carcinomaOpen Targets
0.44Moderate
respiratory system diseaseOpen Targets
0.43Moderate
Eczematoid dermatitisOpen Targets
0.42Moderate
prostate cancerOpen Targets
0.42Moderate
glaucomaOpen Targets
0.42Moderate
allergic diseaseOpen Targets
0.39Weak
Abnormal thrombosisOpen Targets
0.39Weak
deep vein thrombosisOpen Targets
0.39Weak
urinary bladder cancerOpen Targets
0.36Weak
Abnormality of the skeletal systemOpen Targets
0.36Weak
cervical squamous cell carcinomaOpen Targets
0.35Weak
asthmaOpen Targets
0.35Weak
squamous cell lung carcinomaOpen Targets
0.35Weak
Varicose veinsOpen Targets
0.34Weak
androgenetic alopeciaOpen Targets
0.34Weak
keratoconusOpen Targets
0.34Weak
Pathogenic Variants1
NM_001730.5(KLF5):c.1100T>A (p.Leu367Ter)Pathogenic
Dilated cardiomyopathy 1FF
☆☆☆☆2019→ Residue 367
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
RXRAProtein interaction100%EP300Protein interaction100%SUMO1Protein interaction100%HDAC1Protein interaction100%JUNProtein interaction99%TP53Protein interaction99%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Bone Marrow
100%
Lung
15%
Brain
7%
Ovary
3%
Heart
2%
Liver
2%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
KLF5RXRAEP300SUMO1HDAC1JUNTP53
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB2EBT · NMR
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
0.52Moderately Constrained
pLIⓘ
0.97Intolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.30 [0.18–0.52]
RankingsWhere KLF5 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #1,226of 20,598
    Most Researched291 · top 10%
  • #4,672of 5,498
    Most Pathogenic Variants1
  • #3,196of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)0.52 · top quartile
Genes detectedKLF5
Sources retrieved26 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
26▼
1
Lactate drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition in diabetic kidney disease via the H3K14la/KLF5 pathway.
PMID: 38925041
Redox Biol · 2024
1.00
2
KLF5 Is Induced by FOXO1 and Causes Oxidative Stress and Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.
PMID: 33539225
Circ Res · 2021
0.90
3
KLF5 inhibition potentiates anti-PD1 efficacy by enhancing CD8
PMID: 36923542
Theranostics · 2023
0.80
4
KLF5 Promotes Tumor Progression and Parp Inhibitor Resistance in Ovarian Cancer.
PMID: 37702443
Adv Sci (Weinh) · 2023
0.70
5
Comparative transcriptomics reveals a mixed basal, club, and hillock epithelial cell identity in castration-resistant prostate cancer.
PMID: 39913208
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 2025
0.64