[5] Cereblon forms an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex with damaged DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1), cullin-4A (CUL4A), and regulator of cullins 1 (ROC1).

FGF8 in turn regulates a number of developmental processes, such as limb and auditory vesicle formation.

The net result is that this ubiquitin ligase complex is important for limb outgrowth in embryos.

[7][11][12][13] Thalidomide was used as a treatment for morning sickness from 1957 until 1961 but was withdrawn from the market after it was discovered that it caused birth defects.

[16][17] Mutations in the CRBN gene are associated with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic intellectual disability,[5] possibly as a result of dysregulation of calcium-activated potassium channels in the brain (see below) during development.