Transcriptional repressor which binds neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) and represses neuronal gene transcription in non-neuronal cells (PubMed:12399542, PubMed:26551668, PubMed:7697725, PubMed:7871435, PubMed:8568247, PubMed:11741002, PubMed:11779185). 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 (PubMed:10449787, PubMed:10734093). Mediates repression by recruiting the BHC complex at RE1/NRSE sites which acts by deacetylating and demethylating specific sites on histones, thereby acting as a chromatin modifier (By similarity). Transcriptional repression by REST-CDYL via the recruitment of histone methyltransferase EHMT2 may be important in transformation suppression (PubMed:19061646). Represses the expression of SRRM4 in non-neural cells to prevent the activation of neural-specific splicing events and to prevent production of REST isoform 3 (By similarity). Repressor activity may be inhibited by forming heterodimers with isoform 3, thereby preventing binding to NRSE or binding to corepressors and leading to derepression of target genes (PubMed:11779185). Also maintains repression of neuronal genes in neural stem cells, and allows transcription and differentiation into neurons by dissociation from RE1/NRSE sites of target genes (By similarity). Thereby is involved in maintaining the quiescent state of adult neural stem cells and preventing premature differentiation into mature neurons (PubMed:21258371). Plays a role in the developmental switch in synaptic NMDA receptor composition during postnatal development, by repressing GRIN2B expression and thereby altering NMDA receptor properties from containing primarily GRIN2B to primarily GRIN2A subunits (By similarity). Acts as a regulator of osteoblast differentiation (By similarity). Key repressor of gene expression in hypoxia; represses genes in hypoxia by direct binding to an RE1/NRSE site on their promoter regions (PubMed:27531581). May also function in stress resistance in the brain during aging; possibly by regulating expression of genes involved in cell death and in the stress response (PubMed:24670762). Repressor of gene expression in the hippocampus after ischemia by directly binding to RE1/NRSE sites and recruiting SIN3A and RCOR1 to promoters of target genes, thereby promoting changes in chromatin modifications and ischemia-induced cell death (By similarity). After ischemia, might play a role in repression of miR-132 expression in hippocampal neurons, thereby leading to neuronal cell death (By similarity). Negatively regulates the expression of SRRM3 in breast cancer cell lines (PubMed:26053433). Binds to the 3' region of the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE), with lower affinity than full-length REST isoform 1 (By similarity). Exhibits weaker repressor activity compared to isoform 1 (PubMed:11779185). May negatively regulate the repressor activity of isoform 1 by binding to isoform 1, thereby preventing its binding to NRSE and leading to derepression of target genes (PubMed:11779185). However, in another study, does not appear to be implicated in repressor activity of a NRSE motif-containing reporter construct nor in inhibitory activity on the isoform 1 transcriptional repressor activity (PubMed:11741002). Post-transcriptional inactivation of REST by SRRM4-dependent alternative splicing into isoform 3 is required in mechanosensory hair cells in the inner ear for derepression of neuronal genes and hearing (By similarity). Isoform 1 and isoform 3 form heterodimers (By similarity). Isoform 3: Forms homodimers and homooligomers; binds to the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) as monomer (By similarity). Interacts with SIN3A, SIN3B and RCOR1 (PubMed:10449787, PubMed:10734093, PubMed:16288918). Interacts with CDYL (PubMed:19061646). Interacts with EHMT1 and EHMT2 only in the presence of CDYL (PubMed:19061646). Part of a complex containing at least CDYL, REST, WIZ, SETB1, EHMT1 and EHMT2 (PubMed:19061646). Interacts (via zinc-finger DNA-binding domain) with ZFP90 (via N- and C-termini); the interaction inhibits REST repressor activity (PubMed:21284946). Interacts (via C2H2-type zinc finger 5) with PRICKLE1 (PubMed:14645515, PubMed:16442230). Interacts with FBXW11 and BTRC (PubMed:18354482). Interacts with USP7 (PubMed:21258371). Colocalizes with ZFP90 in the nucleus (By similarity). In response to hypoxia, there is a more pronounced increase in levels in the nucleus as compared to the cytoplasm (PubMed:27531581). In aging neurons, increased levels in the nucleus as compared to the cytoplasm (PubMed:24670762, PubMed:30684677). Additional isoforms seem to exist. Expressed in neurons of the prefrontal cortex, in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, dentate gyrus granule neurons and cerebellar Purkinje and granule neurons (at protein level) (PubMed:24670762). Expressed in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (at protein level) (PubMed:30684677). Expressed in neural progenitor cells (at protein level) (PubMed:21258371). In patients suffering from Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies, decreased nuclear levels have been observed in neurons of the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, but not in neurons of the dentate gyrus and cerebellum (at protein level) (PubMed:24670762). In patients with Parkinson disease or dementia with Lewy bodies, decreased nuclear levels have been observed in dopaminergic neurons and in cortical neurons and localization to Lewy bodies and pale bodies was detected (at protein level) (PubMed:30684677). Expressed at higher levels in weakly invasive breast cancer cell lines and at lower levels in highly invasive breast cancer lines (at protein level) (PubMed:26053433). Ubiquitous (PubMed:8568247). Expressed at higher levels in the tissues of the lymphocytic compartment, including spleen, thymus, peripheral blood lymphocytes and ovary (PubMed:8568247). Expression is cell cycle-dependent with decreased levels in G2 phase; mediated by proteasomal degradation (at protein level) (PubMed:18354482). In aged individuals, increased expression in hippocampal CA1, CA3 and CA4 pyramidal neurons and in dentate granule cell neurons, but not in the cerebellum (PubMed:24670762). Up-regulated by Wnt signaling (PubMed:24670762). Up-regulated in the brain of aging individuals but not in Alzheimer disease patients (PubMed:24670762). Up-regulated by oxidative stress (PubMed:24670762). Down-regulated during neural progenitor cell differentiation (PubMed:21258371). The C2H2-type zinc finger 5 is required for nuclear localization. O-glycosylated. Phosphorylated; phosphorylation is required for ubiquitination. Ubiquitinated; ubiquitination is mediated by BTRC and leads to proteasomal degradation in G2 phase (PubMed:18354482, PubMed:21258371). Ubiquitination increases during neuronal differentiation (PubMed:21258371). Deubiquitinated by USP7; leading to its stabilization and promoting the maintenance of neural progenitor cells (PubMed:21258371). Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. An intronic variant that affects alternative splicing of REST into isoform 3 and inactivation of REST repressor activity is associated with progressive hearing loss and deafness. The disease may be caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. An intronic variant that affects alternative splicing of REST and inactivation of REST repressor activity fully segregates with deafness in a 3-generation family. Produced by SRRM4-dependent alternative splicing in neurons and inner ear hair cells (By similarity). Lacks the four C-terminal zinc fingers and the RCOR1 corepressor interaction site found in full length REST isoform 1, which are required for full DNA-binding and repressive activity (PubMed:11741002). Controversial data exists concerning the repressor activity of isoform 3. A study showed that isoform 3 exhibits weak repressor activity of a NRSE motif-containing reporter construct (PubMed:11779185). Another report, however, does not observe any isoform 3 transcriptional repressor activity of a NRSE motif-containing reporter construct (PubMed:11741002). Controversial data also exists regarding the function of isoform 3 on the negative regulation of isoform 1. It was shown that isoform 3 negatively regulates the repressor activity of isoform 1 by binding to isoform 1, thereby preventing its binding to NRSE and leading to derepression of target genes (PubMed:11779185). Another study, however, did not observe any inhibitory activity of isoform 3 on the isoform 1 transcriptional repressor activity (PubMed:11741002). Extended N-terminus. Extended N-terminus. Contaminating sequence. Potential poly-A sequence. Extended N-terminus.