MeCP2: A Critical Regulator of Chromatin in Neurodevelopment and Adult Brain Function

Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was first identified as a nuclear protein with a transcriptional repressor role that recognizes DNA methylation marks. MeCP2 has a well-established function in neurodevelopment, as evidenced by the severe neurological impairments characteristic of the Rett syndro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of molecular sciences 2019-09, Vol.20 (18), p.4577
Main Authors: Gulmez Karaca, Kubra, Brito, David V C, Oliveira, Ana M M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adulthood
Adults
Animals
Autism
Brain
Brain - metabolism
Brain - pathology
Brain - physiopathology
Cell Differentiation
Chromatin
Chromatin - genetics
Chromatin - metabolism
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Diagnostic systems
DNA
DNA methylation
epigenetics
Gene expression
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Localization
MeCP2
MeCP2 protein
Mental disorders
Mesenchyme
Methyl-CpG binding protein
Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 - metabolism
Morphogenesis
Morphology
Mutation
Neurodevelopment
Neurogenesis
Neurogenesis - genetics
Neurological diseases
Patients
Protein Processing, Post-Translational
Proteins
Rett syndrome
Review
Signal Transduction
Signs and symptoms
Social behavior
Stem cell transplantation
Stem cells
Studies
transcriptomic profile
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Description
Summary:Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was first identified as a nuclear protein with a transcriptional repressor role that recognizes DNA methylation marks. MeCP2 has a well-established function in neurodevelopment, as evidenced by the severe neurological impairments characteristic of the Rett syndrome (RTT) pathology and the MeCP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), caused by loss or gain of MeCP2 function, respectively. Research aimed at the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of RTT and MDS has significantly advanced our understanding of MeCP2 functions in the nervous system. It has revealed, however, that MeCP2 has more varied and complex roles than previously thought. Here we review recent insights into the functions of MeCP2 in neurodevelopment and the less explored requirement for MeCP2 in adult brain function. We focus on the emerging view that MeCP2 is a global chromatin organizer. Finally, we discuss how the individual functions of MeCP2 in neurodevelopment and adulthood are linked to its role as a chromatin regulator.
ISSN:1422-0067
1661-6596
1422-0067
DOI:10.3390/ijms20184577