Corepressors are known to regulate transcription through different activation and inactivation states.
NCoR and SMRT act as a corepressor complex to regulate transcription by becoming activated once the ligand is bound. Knockouts of NCoR resulted in embryo death, indicating its importance in erythrocytic, thymic, and neural system development.
Mutations in certain corepressors can result in deregulation of signals. SMRT contributes to cardiac muscle development, with knockouts of the complex resulting in less developed muscle and improper development.
NCoR has also been found to be an important checkpoint in processes such as inflammation and macrophage activation.
Recent evidence also suggests the role of corepressor RIP140 in metabolic regulation of energy homeostasis.