REST (RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor) (REST) ELISA Kit for Rat

This gene encodes a transcriptional repressor that 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. The protein is also found in undifferentiated neuronal progenitor cells and it is thought that this repressor may act as a master negative regular of neurogenesis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been described [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2010]

REST: a transcriptional repressor that binds neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) and represses neuronal gene transcription in non-neuronal cells during embryonic development. Induced during ageing in human cortical and hippocampal neurons, where it represses genes that promote cell death and induces the expression of stress response genes. Protects neurons from amyloid beta- and oxidative stress-induced toxicity. The deletion of REST in the mouse brain induces age-related neurodegeneration. Restricts the expression of neuronal genes by associating with two distinct corepressors, SIN3A and RCOR1, which in turn recruit histone deacetylase to the promoters of REST-regulated genes. Mediates repression by recruiting the BHC complex at NRSE sites which acts by deacetylating and demethylating specific sites on histones, thereby acting as a chromatin modifier. REST activates DYRK1A transcription via a neuron-restricted silencer element in the DYRK1A promoter. Four isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Cell development/differentiation; C2H2-type zinc finger protein; DNA-binding; Transcription factor

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q12

Cellular Component: chromatin; cytosol; nucleoplasm; nucleus; transcriptional repressor complex

Molecular Function: chromatin binding; histone deacetylase activity; metal ion binding; outward rectifier potassium channel activity; protein binding; protein complex binding; transcription factor activity; transcription factor binding

Biological Process: hemopoietic progenitor cell differentiation; negative regulation of aldosterone biosynthetic process; negative regulation of calcium ion-dependent exocytosis; negative regulation of cell proliferation; negative regulation of insulin secretion; negative regulation of neurogenesis; negative regulation of neuron differentiation; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of apoptosis; positive regulation of caspase activity; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter