MeCP2 and transcriptional control of eukaryotic gene expression. 2022

Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada.

Eukaryotic gene expression is controlled at multiple steps that work in harmony to ensure proper maintenance of cellular morphology and function. Such regulatory mechanisms would include transcriptional gene regulation, which is in turn controlled by chromatin remodeling, distinct topologically associating domains of the chromatin structure, cis-regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters, action of trans-acting factors, DNA methylation, RNA modifications, and post-translational modification of histones. These guiding mechanisms of gene expression play critical roles in the epigenetic setting of individual cells within the eukaryotic systems. Some epigenetic factors may play multiple functional roles in guarding the accurate gene expression program of the eukaryotic cells, especially within the central nervous system. A well-studied example of such multi-functional factors is the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a nuclear protein that is encoded by the X-linked MECP2 gene. Here, we aim to provide an overview of eukaryotic gene regulation, the three-dimensional chromatin organization, standard techniques to study newly synthesized RNA transcripts, and the role of MeCP2 as an important transcriptional regulator in eukaryotes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D005057 Eukaryotic Cells Cells of the higher organisms, containing a true nucleus bounded by a nuclear membrane. Cell, Eukaryotic,Cells, Eukaryotic,Eukaryotic Cell
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D012313 RNA A polynucleotide consisting essentially of chains with a repeating backbone of phosphate and ribose units to which nitrogenous bases are attached. RNA is unique among biological macromolecules in that it can encode genetic information, serve as an abundant structural component of cells, and also possesses catalytic activity. (Rieger et al., Glossary of Genetics: Classical and Molecular, 5th ed) RNA, Non-Polyadenylated,Ribonucleic Acid,Gene Products, RNA,Non-Polyadenylated RNA,Acid, Ribonucleic,Non Polyadenylated RNA,RNA Gene Products,RNA, Non Polyadenylated
D015870 Gene Expression The phenotypic manifestation of a gene or genes by the processes of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and GENETIC TRANSLATION. Expression, Gene,Expressions, Gene,Gene Expressions
D051783 Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 A DNA-binding protein that interacts with methylated CPG ISLANDS. It plays a role in repressing GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and is frequently mutated in RETT SYNDROME. MeCP2 Protein,Methyl CpG Binding Protein 2
D056890 Eukaryota One of the three domains of life (the others being BACTERIA and ARCHAEA), also called Eukarya. These are organisms whose cells are enclosed in membranes and possess a nucleus. They comprise almost all multicellular and many unicellular organisms, and are traditionally divided into groups (sometimes called kingdoms) including ANIMALS; PLANTS; FUNGI; and various algae and other taxa that were previously part of the old kingdom Protista. Eukaryotes,Eucarya,Eukarya,Eukaryotas,Eukaryote
D019175 DNA Methylation Addition of methyl groups to DNA. DNA methyltransferases (DNA methylases) perform this reaction using S-ADENOSYLMETHIONINE as the methyl group donor. DNA Methylations,Methylation, DNA,Methylations, DNA

Related Publications

Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
January 2011, Advances in enzyme regulation,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
December 1999, Trends in cell biology,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
July 1993, Molecular biology of the cell,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
January 2009, Critical reviews in biochemistry and molecular biology,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
July 1982, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
June 2004, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
January 1991, Current topics in microbiology and immunology,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
November 2002, Cytokine,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
January 1986, Giornale di batteriologia, virologia ed immunologia,
Ghanan Bin Akhtar, and Marjorie Buist, and Mojgan Rastegar
July 2021, Nature communications,
Copied contents to your clipboard!