RE1-silencing transcription factor
Encyclopedia
RE1-Silencing Transcription factor (REST), also known as Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor (NRSF), is a protein
which in humans is encoded by the REST gene
.
which represses neuronal genes in non-neuronal tissues. It is a member of the Kruppel
-type zinc finger
transcription factor
family. It represses transcription by binding a DNA sequence element called the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE, also known as RE1). The protein is also found in undifferentiated neuronal progenitor cell
s, and it is thought that this repressor may act as a master negative regulator of neurogenesis
. Alternatively spliced
transcript variants have been described; however, their full length nature has not been determined.
REST contains 8 Cys2His2 zinc fingers and mediates gene repression by recruiting several chromatin
-modifying enzymes.
When expressed in fruit flies, this gene results in gonads where the wings should be.
with RCOR1
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
which in humans is encoded by the REST gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
.
Function
This gene encodes a transcriptional repressorRepressor
In molecular genetics, a repressor is a DNA-binding protein that regulates the expression of one or more genes by binding to the operator and blocking the attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter, thus preventing transcription of the genes. This blocking of expression is called...
which represses neuronal genes in non-neuronal tissues. It is a member of the Kruppel
Kruppel-like factors
The Krüppel-like family of transcription factors , so named for their homology to the Drosophila melanogaster Krüppel protein, have been extensively studied for their roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, especially in the context of cancer . All KLF family members are...
-type zinc finger
Zinc finger
Zinc fingers are small protein structural motifs that can coordinate one or more zinc ions to help stabilize their folds. They can be classified into several different structural families and typically function as interaction modules that bind DNA, RNA, proteins, or small molecules...
transcription factor
Transcription factor
In molecular biology and genetics, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA...
family. It represses transcription by binding a DNA sequence element called the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE, also known as RE1). The protein is also found in undifferentiated neuronal progenitor cell
Progenitor cell
A progenitor cell is a biological cell that, like a stem cell, has a tendency to differentiate into a specific type of cell, but is already more specific than a stem cell and is pushed to differentiate into its "target" cell...
s, and it is thought that this repressor may act as a master negative regulator of neurogenesis
Neurogenesis
Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are generated from neural stem and progenitor cells. Most active during pre-natal development, neurogenesis is responsible for populating the growing brain with neurons. Recently neurogenesis was shown to continue in several small parts of the brain of...
. Alternatively spliced
Alternative splicing
Alternative splicing is a process by which the exons of the RNA produced by transcription of a gene are reconnected in multiple ways during RNA splicing...
transcript variants have been described; however, their full length nature has not been determined.
REST contains 8 Cys2His2 zinc fingers and mediates gene repression by recruiting several chromatin
Chromatin
Chromatin is the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of the nucleus of a cell. The primary functions of chromatin are; to package DNA into a smaller volume to fit in the cell, to strengthen the DNA to allow mitosis and meiosis and prevent DNA damage, and to control gene...
-modifying enzymes.
When expressed in fruit flies, this gene results in gonads where the wings should be.
Interactions
RE1-silencing transcription factor has been shown to interactProtein-protein interaction
Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...
with RCOR1
RCOR1
REST corepressor 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the RCOR1 gene.-Interactions:RCOR1 has been shown to interact with HMG20B, HDAC1, Histone deacetylase 2, RE1-silencing transcription factor and PHF21A.-Further reading:...
.