NCBI Summary:
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]
General function
DNA binding, Transcription factor
Comment
Cellular localization
Nuclear
Comment
Ovarian function
, Pluripotent cell derivation
Comment
REST is Required for Nuclear Reprogramming by Inhibiting TGFβ Signaling Pathway. Kong QR et al. (2016) Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed by transcription factors, and these factors that are responsible for successful reprogramming need to be further identified. Here, we show that the neuronal repressor REST is rich in porcine oocytes and requires for nuclear transfer (NT)-mediated reprogramming through inhibiting TGFβ signaling pathway. REST was dramatically degraded after oocyte activation, but the residual REST was incorporated into the transferred donor nuclei during reprogramming in NT embryos. Inhibition of REST function in oocytes compromised the development of NT embryos but not that of IVF and PA embryos. Bioinformation analysis of putative targets of REST indicated that REST might function on reprogramming in NT embryos by inhibiting TGFβ pathway. Further results showed that the developmental failure of REST-inhibited NT embryos could be rescued by treament of SB431542, an inhibitor of TGF-β pathway. Thus, REST is a newly discovered transcription factor that is required for NT-mediated nuclear reprogramming.//////////////////