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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/rere/

RERE gene

arginine-glutamic acid dipeptide repeats

Normal Function

The RERE gene provides instructions for making a protein that is critical for normal development before birth. This protein interacts with other proteins called transcription factors, which control the activity (transcription) of particular genes. The RERE protein helps these transcription factors turn on (activate) and turn off (repress) a number of genes important for early development, ensuring that the genes are activated (expressed) at the right time and place for proper tissue formation. Research indicates that the RERE protein plays a role in the development of the brain, eyes, inner ear, heart, and kidneys.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Neurodevelopmental disorder with or without anomalies of the brain, eye, or heart

More than 15 mutations in the RERE gene have been found to cause a condition called neurodevelopmental disorder with or without anomalies of the brain, eye, or heart (NEDBEH). This condition primarily affects brain development, causing intellectual disability, delayed development, or autism spectrum disorder, which is a condition that affects communication and social interaction. Abnormalities of other body systems, including the eyes, heart, inner ear, or kidneys, can also occur.

Many of the RERE gene mutations that cause NEDBEH change single DNA building blocks (nucleotides). Other mutations add or remove nucleotides. Researchers suspect that these genetic changes reduce or eliminate the function of the RERE protein. A shortage of RERE protein function likely alters the activity of many genes involved in development before birth. These changes prevent the normal development of tissues in the brain, eyes, heart, and other organs. Researchers are working to identify which genes are affected and how changes in their activity lead to the signs and symptoms of NEDBEH.

It is unknown why some people with NEDBEH have only neurological problems and others also have structural abnormalities. Researchers suspect that the severity of the condition may be related to the location and type of mutation in the RERE gene. Additional genetic factors that have not been identified, including variations in other genes, may also help determine which body systems are affected.

More About This Health Condition

Other Names for This Gene

  • ARG
  • arginine-glutamic acid dipeptide (RE) repeats
  • arginine-glutamic acid repeats-encoding gene
  • ARP
  • ATN1L
  • atrophin 2
  • atrophin-1 like protein
  • atrophin-1 related protein
  • atrophn-related protein
  • deleted in neuroblastoma-1
  • DNB1
  • KIAA0458

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Fregeau B, Kim BJ, Hernandez-Garcia A, Jordan VK, Cho MT, Schnur RE, Monaghan KG, Juusola J, Rosenfeld JA, Bhoj E, Zackai EH, Sacharow S, Baranano K, Bosch DGM, de Vries BBA, Lindstrom K, Schroeder A, James P, Kulch P, Lalani SR, van Haelst MM, van Gassen KLI, van Binsbergen E, Barkovich AJ, Scott DA, Sherr EH. De Novo Mutations of RERE Cause a Genetic Syndrome with Features that Overlap Those Associated with Proximal 1p36 Deletions. Am J Hum Genet. 2016 May 5;98(5):963-970. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2016.03.002. Epub 2016 Apr 14. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Jordan VK, Fregeau B, Ge X, Giordano J, Wapner RJ, Balci TB, Carter MT, Bernat JA, Moccia AN, Srivastava A, Martin DM, Bielas SL, Pappas J, Svoboda MD, Rio M, Boddaert N, Cantagrel V, Lewis AM, Scaglia F; Undiagnosed Diseases Network; Kohler JN, Bernstein JA, Dries AM, Rosenfeld JA, DeFilippo C, Thorson W, Yang Y, Sherr EH, Bi W, Scott DA. Genotype-phenotype correlations in individuals with pathogenic RERE variants. Hum Mutat. 2018 May;39(5):666-675. doi: 10.1002/humu.23400. Epub 2018 Jan 25. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Kim BJ, Scott DA. Mouse model reveals the role of RERE in cerebellar foliation and the migration and maturation of Purkinje cells. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 23;9(1):e87518. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087518. eCollection 2014. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Kim BJ, Zaveri HP, Jordan VK, Hernandez-Garcia A, Jacob DJ, Zamora DL, Yu W, Schwartz RJ, Scott DA. RERE deficiency leads to decreased expression of GATA4 and the development of ventricular septal defects. Dis Model Mech. 2018 Aug 28;11(9):dmm031534. doi: 10.1242/dmm.031534. Citation on PubMed
  • Kim BJ, Zaveri HP, Shchelochkov OA, Yu Z, Hernandez-Garcia A, Seymour ML, Oghalai JS, Pereira FA, Stockton DW, Justice MJ, Lee B, Scott DA. An allelic series of mice reveals a role for RERE in the development of multiple organs affected in chromosome 1p36 deletions. PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e57460. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057460. Epub 2013 Feb 25. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Vilhais-Neto GC, Maruhashi M, Smith KT, Vasseur-Cognet M, Peterson AS, Workman JL, Pourquie O. Rere controls retinoic acid signalling and somite bilateral symmetry. Nature. 2010 Feb 18;463(7283):953-7. doi: 10.1038/nature08763. Citation on PubMed
  • Zoltewicz JS, Stewart NJ, Leung R, Peterson AS. Atrophin 2 recruits histone deacetylase and is required for the function of multiple signaling centers during mouse embryogenesis. Development. 2004 Jan;131(1):3-14. doi: 10.1242/dev.00908. Epub 2003 Nov 26. Citation on PubMed

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.