REVIEW

Cell Research, 15(4):255-261, Apr 2005

Methyl-CpG binding proteins in the nervous system

Guoping FAN^*, Leah HUTNICK

Department of Human Genetics and Interdepartmental Program of Neuroscience, David Geffen School of Medicine, P.O. Box 957088, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7088, USA

Correspondence: Guoping FAN +1-310-267-0439 (phone) +1-310-794-5446 (fax) gfan@mednet.ucla.edu

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Abstract

Classical methyl-CpG binding proteins contain the conserved DNA binding motif methyl-cytosine binding domain (MBD), which preferentially binds to methylated CpG dinucleotides. These proteins serve as transcriptional repressors, mediating gene silencing via DNA cytosine methylation. Mutations in methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) have been linked to the human mental retardation disorder Rett syndrome, suggesting an important role for methyl-CpG binding proteins in brain development and function. This mini-review summarizes the recent advances in studying the diverse functions of MeCP2 as a prototype for other methyl-CpG binding proteins in the development and function of the vertebrate nervous system.

Keywords: MeCP2, MBD proteins, DNA methylation, neuronal differentiation, chromatin remodeling, gene silencing, histone modification.