Role of epigenetics in Rett syndrome

Epigenomics. 2013;5(5):583-92. doi: 10.2217/epi.13.54.

Abstract

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disease caused by MECP2 mutations. The MeCP2 protein was originally thought to function as a transcription repressor by binding to methylated CpG dinucleotides, but is now also thought to be a transcription activator. Recent studies suggest that MeCP2 is not only being expressed in neurons, but also in glial cells, which suggests a new paradigm for understanding the pathogenesis of RTT. It has also been demonstrated that reintroduction of MeCP2 into behaviorally affected Mecp2-null mice after birth rescues neurological symptoms, which indicates that epigenetic failures in RTT are reversible. Therefore, RTT may well be seen as a model disease that can be potentially treated by taking advantage of the reversibility of epigenetic phenomena in various congenital neurodevelopmental diseases that were previously thought to be untreatable.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2* / genetics
  • Mutation
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Rett Syndrome* / genetics

Substances

  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2