REST Gene

REST Gene

Introduction

Rest Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

--- [@ballas2005]
title: REST Gene [@coppola2019]
description: Gene information for RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor and its role in neurodegenerative diseases [@nih]
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center;">REST Gene</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Full Name</b></td><td>RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Chromosome</b></td><td>4q12</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>NCBI Gene ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5978" target="_blank">5978</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>OMIM</b></td><td><a href="https://www.omim.org/entry/600571" target="_blank">600571</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Ensembl ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000100647" target="_blank">ENSG00000100647</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>UniProt ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9Y2W1" target="_blank">Q9Y2W1</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Encoded Protein</b></td><td>[REST](/proteins/rest)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Associated Diseases</b></td><td>Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, various cancers</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Pathway Diagram

REST Gene

Introduction

Rest Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

--- [@ballas2005]
title: REST Gene [@coppola2019]
description: Gene information for RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor and its role in neurodegenerative diseases [@nih]
<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0; text-align:center;">REST Gene</th></tr>
<tr><td><b>Full Name</b></td><td>RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Chromosome</b></td><td>4q12</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>NCBI Gene ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5978" target="_blank">5978</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>OMIM</b></td><td><a href="https://www.omim.org/entry/600571" target="_blank">600571</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Ensembl ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000100647" target="_blank">ENSG00000100647</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>UniProt ID</b></td><td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9Y2W1" target="_blank">Q9Y2W1</a></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Encoded Protein</b></td><td>[REST](/proteins/rest)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Associated Diseases</b></td><td>Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, various cancers</td></tr>
</table>
</div>

Pathway Diagram

Knowledge graph relationships for REST (297 total edges in KG)

Overview

The REST gene (RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor) encodes a zinc-finger transcriptional repressor that regulates neuronal gene expression during development and in response to stress. REST acts as a master regulator of neuronal identity and protects [neurons](/entities/neurons) from oxidative stress and toxic insults. REST dysfunction is implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and aging-related neurodegeneration.

Function

REST (also known as NRSF) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that represses neuronal gene expression in non-neuronal cells and regulates synaptic plasticity in neurons. It binds to RE1silencing elements (RSE) in target genes.

Expression

High expression in neural progenitor cells and non-neuronal tissues. In mature neurons, REST levels decrease to allow neuronal gene expression. REST is re-induced in some neurodegenerative conditions.

Disease Associations

REST dysfunction is implicated in Huntington's disease, where mutant [huntingtin](/proteins/huntingtin-protein) sequesters REST in the cytoplasm, leading to dysregulation of REST target genes. REST may have both protective and pathological roles in neurodegeneration.

Key Publications

Molecular Mechanisms

REST (RE1-Silencing Transcription factor), also known as NRSF (Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor), is a zinc-finger transcription factor that represses neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells and regulates synaptic plasticity in neurons. REST functions by binding to RE1 sites (TCAGCACCGANNGAG) in target gene promoters.

Key REST mechanisms include:

• Gene silencing: Recruits CoREST, Sin3A, and [HDAC](/entities/hdac-enzymes) complexes to repress neuronal genes
• Synaptic homeostasis: Regulates [NMDA](/entities/nmda-receptor) receptor and synapsin expression
• Neural stem cell fate: Controls transition from neural progenitors to differentiated neurons
• Epigenetic regulation: Modifies histone acetylation and methylation at target loci

Therapeutic Implications

REST-targeted approaches for neurodegeneration:

Research Directions

Active research areas:

• REST dysfunction in Huntington's disease: mutant [huntingtin](genes/htt) disrupts REST nuclear localization
• REST in Alzheimer's disease: [amyloid-beta](/proteins/amyloid-beta) affects REST-mediated transcription
• REST and epilepsy: REST dysregulation contributes to seizure susceptibility
• REST as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

Background

The study of Rest Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

Brain Atlas Resources

• [Allen Human Brain Atlas - REST Gene Expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=rest)
• [Allen Cell Type Atlas - REST Gene](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/)
• [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas - REST Gene](https://mouse.brain-map.org/)
• [BrainSpan - REST Gene Developmental Expression](https://brainspan.org/)

Molecular Mechanisms

REST (RE1-Silencing Transcription factor), also known as NRSF (Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor), is a zinc-finger transcription factor that represses neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells and regulates synaptic plasticity in neurons. REST functions by binding to RE1 sites (TCAGCACCGANNGAG) in target gene promoters.

Key REST mechanisms include:

• Gene silencing: Recruits CoREST, Sin3A, and HDAC complexes to repress neuronal genes
• Synaptic homeostasis: Regulates NMDA receptor and synapsin expression
• Neural stem cell fate: Controls transition from neural progenitors to differentiated neurons
• Epigenetic regulation: Modifies histone acetylation and methylation at target loci

Therapeutic Implications

REST-targeted approaches for neurodegeneration:

Research Directions

Active research areas:

• REST dysfunc- REST and epilepsy: REST dysregulation contributes to seizure sus- REST as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

Brain Atlas Resources

• [Allen Human Brain Atlas - REST Gene Expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=rest)
• [Allen Cell Type Atlas - REST Gene](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/)
• [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas - REST Gene](https://mouse.brain-map.org/)
• [BrainSpan - REST Gene Developmental Expression](https://brainspan.org/)

References

See Also

• [Proteins Index](/proteins)
• [Genes I- Alzheimer's Disease
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• Huntington'- Synaptic Dysfunction Pathway

External Links

• [NCBI Gene: REST](ht- [UniProt: REST](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q9Y2W1)
• [Ensembl: REST](https://www.ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000100647)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving REST Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: