Hic-5 contains four LIM motifs and seven zinc finger domains. In the cell, Hic-5 localizes to the nuclear matrix and focal adhesion complexes where the LIM domains mediate the interactions of Hic-5 with focal adhesions. Known also as transforming factor beta 1 induced transcript 1, Hic-5 shares extensive homology with the structural protein paxillin, which is involved in the regulation of focal adhesion dynamics. Hic-5 inhibits integrin-mediated cell spreading on Fibronectin by out competing paxillin for focal adhesion kinase and thereby preventing downstream signal transduction. Increased expression of Hic-5 leads to cellular senescence in developing fibroblasts. During myogenesis, expression of Hic-5 blocks differentiation and induces apoptosis of developing myoblasts. The gene encoding human Hic-5 maps to chromosome 16.