Yin yang 1 directly regulates the transcription of RE-1 silencing transcription factor.

The RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a master transcription factor that plays a critical role in embryo development, especially during the process of neurogenesis and neural plasticity. However, the mechanism of REST gene transcription regulation is still an open question. Here, by combining bioinformatics analysis and experimental studies, we report that the transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) bound to a conserved YY1 binding site in the promoter of the mouse REST gene and positively regulated activity of this promoter in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, analysis of microarray data revealed a significant correlation between the expression of YY1 and REST genes. Overall, this study suggests that YY1 directly regulates expression of the REST gene.