This gene belongs to the RING finger family, members of which encode proteins characterized by a RING domain, a zinc-binding motif related to the zinc finger domain. The gene product can bind DNA and can act as a transcriptional repressor. It is associated with the multimeric polycomb group protein complex. The gene product interacts with the polycomb group proteins BMI1, EDR1, and CBX4, and colocalizes with these proteins in large nuclear domains. It interacts with the CBX4 protein via its glycine-rich C-terminal domain. The gene maps to the HLA class II region, where it is contiguous with the RING finger genes FABGL and HKE4.RING1 (Ring Finger Protein 1) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with RING1 include Occult Macular Dystrophy and Partial Central Choroid Dystrophy. Among its related pathways are Cellular Senescence and Metabolism of proteins. GO annotations related to this gene include chromatin binding and ubiquitin-protein transferase activity. An important paralog of this gene is RNF2.