Transcriptional repressor involved in the regulation of the circadian rhythm by negatively regulating the activity of the clock genes and clock-controlled genes (, ). Acts as the negative limb of a novel autoregulatory feedback loop (DEC loop) which differs from the one formed by the PER and CRY transcriptional repressors (PER/CRY loop) . Both these loops are interlocked as it represses the expression of PER1/2 and in turn is repressed by PER1/2 and CRY1/2 . Represses the activity of the circadian transcriptional activator: CLOCK-BMAL1|BMAL2 heterodimer by competing for the binding to E-box elements (5'-CACGTG-3') found within the promoters of its target genes . Negatively regulates its own expression and the expression of DBP and BHLHE41/DEC2 . Acts as a corepressor of RXR and the RXR-LXR heterodimers and represses the ligand-induced RXRA and NR1H3/LXRA transactivation activity . May be involved in the regulation of chondrocyte differentiation via the cAMP pathway . Represses the transcription of NR0B2 and attentuates the transactivation of NR0B2 by the CLOCK-BMAL1 complex . Drives the circadian rhythm of blood pressure through transcriptional repression of ATP1B1 in the cardiovascular system .
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Nucleus
Predominantly localized in the nucleus .
Expressed in cartilage, spleen, intestine, lung, and to a lesser extent in heart, brain, liver, muscle and stomach.