Epigenetic regulation of synaptic disorder in Alzheimer's disease

Zhiying Chen; Moxin Wu; Qin Lai; Weixin Zhou; Xiaoqing Wen; Xiaoping Yin

doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.888014

Epigenetic regulation of synaptic disorder in Alzheimer's disease

Front Neurosci. 2022 Aug 3:16:888014. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2022.888014. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Zhiying Chen^{1

2}, Moxin Wu^{2

3}, Qin Lai¹, Weixin Zhou², Xiaoqing Wen¹, Xiaoping Yin^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China.
² Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, China.
³ Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, China.

Abstract

Synapses are critical structures involved in neurotransmission and neuroplasticity. Their activity depends on their complete structure and function, which are the basis of learning, memory, and cognitive function. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by synaptic loss, synaptic disorder, and plasticity impairment. AD pathogenesis is characterized by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Changes in various receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, synaptic components, and dendritic spines lead to synaptic disorder. Changes in epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and histone modification, are closely related to AD. These can affect neuronal and synaptic functions by regulating the structure and expression of neuronal genes. Some drugs have ameliorated synaptic and neural dysfunction in AD models via epigenetic regulation. We reviewed the recent progress on pathological changes and epigenetic mechanisms of synaptic dysregulation in AD to provide a new perspective on this disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; DNA methylation; RNA interference; epigenetics; histone modifications; memory impairment; synaptic disorders; therapeutic target.

Publication types

Review