This family consists of several eukaryotic brain and reproductive organ-expressed (BRE) proteins. BRE is a putative stress-modulating gene, found able to down-regulate TNF-alpha-induced-NF-kappaB activation upon over expression. A total of six isoforms are produced by alternative splicing predominantly at either end of the gene.Compared to normal cells, immortalised human cell lines uniformly express higher levels of BRE. Peripheral blood monocytes respond to LPS by down-regulating the expression of all the BRE isoforms.It is thought that the function of BRE and its isoforms is to regulate peroxisomal activities [1].

1: Expression of human BRE in multiple isoforms. Ching AK, Li PS, Li Q, Chan BC, Chan JY, Lim PL, Pang JC, Chui YL; Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2001;288:535-545. PMID:11676476