The precise function of this family is not clear, but it is thought to play a role in somitogenesis, development and transcriptional repression. Ripply is also known by an alternative name, Bowline. Bowline, is an associate protein of the transcriptional co-repressor XGrg-4 [1]. This family contains two conserved sequence motifs: WRPW and FPVQATI. The WRPW motif is thought to be required for binding to tle/groucho proteins [2]. Ripply3 is also known as Down Syndrome Critical Region Protein 6 homolog [3]. This family of proteins is found in eukaryotes. Proteins in this family are typically between 109 and 154 amino acids in length.

1: Bowline mediates association of the transcriptional corepressor XGrg-4 with Tbx6 during somitogenesis in Xenopus. Kondow A, Hitachi K, Okabayashi K, Hayashi N, Asashima M; Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007;359:959-964. PMID:17577580

2: Bowline, a novel protein localized to the presomitic mesoderm, interacts with Groucho/TLE in Xenopus. Kondow A, Hitachi K, Ikegame T, Asashima M; Int J Dev Biol. 2006;50:473-479. PMID:16586348

3: Isolation of two novel genes, DSCR5 and DSCR6, from Down syndrome critical region on human chromosome 21q22.2. Shibuya K, Kudoh J, Minoshima S, Kawasaki K, Asakawa S, Shimizu N; Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000;271:693-698. PMID:10814524