title: Epigenetic regulation of neural gene expression and neuronal function.
abstract: The development and function of the CNS requires accurate gene transcription control in response to proper environmental signals. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and other chromatin-remodeling events, are critically important in mediating precise neural gene regulation. This review focuses on discussing the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in neural lineage differentiation, synaptic plasticity and neural behavior. We postulate that DNA methylation- and histone modification-mediated gene regulation is not only important for neural cell differentiation but also crucial for high-order cognitive functions such as learning and memory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fouse
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D015254:DNA Modification Methylases