Rreb1, the Ras-responsive element binding protein 1, is a zinc finger transcription factor. It is widely involved in biological processes such as cell proliferation, transcriptional regulation, and DNA damage repair. The activation of Rreb1 is regulated by the MAPK pathway, and it has been associated with multiple signaling pathways including the TGF-β pathway, playing a vital role in development, fibrosis, and cancer [1]. Genetic models, like KO or CKO mouse models, can be valuable for studying its functions.

In a mouse model where a nervous system-enriched Rreb1 transcript was spontaneously mutated, there was a progressive loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells and ataxia. Analysis revealed dysregulation of Rreb1 targets related to the microtubule cytoskeleton and endomembrane system, demonstrating its role in maintaining the microtubule network and proteostasis in neurons [2]. In another mouse model, knockdown of Rreb1 in Sertoli cells caused impaired cell development, defective blood-testis barrier structure, and abnormal spermatogenesis, indicating its importance in Sertoli cell maturation, function, and spermatogenesis [3].

In conclusion, Rreb1 is a key transcription factor essential for multiple biological processes. Model-based research, especially KO/CKO mouse models, has revealed its significance in neuronal homeostasis, spermatogenesis, and other processes. These findings contribute to understanding diseases related to neuronal and reproductive systems, as well as cancers where Rreb1 has been implicated [2-3, 5, 9].

References:

1. Deng, Ya-Nan, Xia, Zijing, Zhang, Peng, Ejaz, Samina, Liang, Shufang. 2020. Transcription Factor RREB1: from Target Genes towards Biological Functions. In International journal of biological sciences, 16, 1463-1473. doi:10.7150/ijbs.40834. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210733/

2. Griffin, Emily N, Jucius, Thomas, Sim, Su-Eon, Heinz, Sven, Ackerman, Susan L. 2024. RREB1 regulates neuronal proteostasis and the microtubule network. In Science advances, 10, eadh3929. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adh3929. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38198538/

3. Wu, Zhu, Chen, Xu, Yan, Tong, Zheng, Meimei, Zhu, Hui. 2024. Rreb1 is a key transcription factor in Sertoli cell maturation and function and spermatogenesis in mouse. In Zygote (Cambridge, England), 32, 130-138. doi:10.1017/S0967199423000655. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38248872/