REST (RE1-silencing transcription factor) is a transcriptional repressor that regulates the expression of target genes by binding to the RE1 site. REST contains DNA-binding domains, zinc finger domains, and transcriptional repression domains. It is primarily expressed in non-neuronal cells, where it maintains the non-neuronal identity of cells by suppressing the expression of neuronal-specific genes. REST is involved in biological processes such as neurodevelopment, cell differentiation, and cell cycle regulation, and achieves its function by interacting with multiple co-repressor factors and signaling pathways. Abnormal expression or mutations in the REST gene are associated with various neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and tumors.