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Updated: Aug 12, 2025

Imaging Replicative Domains in Ultrastructurally Preserved Chromatin by Electron Tomography
Published on: May 20, 2022
Electron microscopy reveals toroidal shape of master neuronal cell differentiator REST - RE1-silencing transcription
Pavel Veverka1,2, Tomáš Brom1, Tomáš Janovič1
1LifeB, FGP - NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
The RE1-Silencing Transcription factor (REST) is essential for neuronal differentiation. Here, we report the first 18.5-angstrom electron microscopy structure of human REST. The refined electron map suggests that REST forms a torus that can accommodate DNA double-helix in the central hole. Additionally, we quantitatively described REST binding to the canonical DNA sequence of the neuron-restrictive silencer element. We developed protocols for the expression and purification of full-length REST and the shortened variant REST-N62 produced by alternative splicing. We tested the mutual interaction of full-length REST and the splicing variant REST-N62. Revealed structure-function relationships of master neuronal repressor REST will allow finding new biological ways of prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases.
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