CoREST-like complexes regulate chromatin modification and neuronal gene expression

The mammalian CoREST ([co]repressor for element-1-silencing transcription factor) complex was first identified associated with the repressor for element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST)/neuronal restrictive silencing factor. The CoREST complex is a chromatin-modifying corepressor complex that acts with REST to regulate neuronal gene expression and neuronal stem cell fate. Components of a CoREST-like complex have been identified recently in Xenopus laevis, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster. Like the mammalian complex, the Drosophila complex is required to regulate neuronal gene expression, whereas the C. elegans homologs regulate the expression of the hop-1 presenilin gene, suggesting an ancient conserved function of CoREST complexes in regulating neuronal gene expression.