Histone H3 and H4 modification profiles in a Rett syndrome mouse model

Epigenetics. 2007 Jan-Mar;2(1):11-4. doi: 10.4161/epi.2.1.3698. Epub 2006 Dec 12.

Abstract

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that has been associated with mutations of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). MeCP2 acts as a transcriptional repressor and binds to histone modifier proteins, which prompted us to wonder whether MeCP2 disruption affects global histone modification patterns. Taking a two-fold approach of using high-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) and western blot, we analyzed the acetylation and methylation status of histones H3 and H4 in a mouse model of RTT where the MeCP2 locus is genetically disrupted. The comparison of cortex, midbrain and cerebellum in wild-type and MeCP2-knock out mice did not reveal any significant difference in the global H3 and H4 histone modification patterns. Our results suggest that MeCP2 deficiency involves local and gene-specific chromatin changes rather than massive histone modification changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Histones / genetics*
  • Male
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / deficiency
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Rett Syndrome / genetics*

Substances

  • Histones
  • Mecp2 protein, mouse
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2