Essential component of a corepressor complex that represses transcription of neuron-specific genes in non-neuronal cells. The BHC complex is recruited by Ttk88 and probably acts by deacetylating and demethylating specific sites on histones, thereby acting as a chromatin modifier. May serve as a molecular beacon for the recruitment of molecular machinery that imposes silencing across a chromosomal interval. Component of a complex that contains at least HDAC1/Rpd3, CoRest and Su(var)3-3/Hdm. Interacts with neuronal repressor ttk/Ttk88. Present in all of the tissues examined including both glia and neurons of the CNS (at protein level). Expressed ubiquitously in the embryo. In contrast, expression of isoform 3 is highly enriched in the nervous system. Belongs to the CoREST family. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus.