Epigenetic organization of brain sex differences and juvenile social play behavior.
The study of epigenetic mechanisms is important for elucidating how gene-by-environment interactions can have lasting outcomes on brain function and behavior. In general, studies of epigenetic processes mainly focus on the methylation status of DNA. While methylation of DNA alone can interfere with gene transcription, it is the binding of methyl-CpG binding proteins to methylated DNA, and subsequent recruitment of nuclear corepressors and histone deacetylases, that results in more efficient gene repression. In this review, we will discuss sex differences in DNA methylation patterns, methyl binding proteins, and corepressor proteins that contribute to lasting differences in brain and juvenile behavior. Specifically, we will discuss new data on sex differences in ERα DNA promoter methylation patterns, and the role of MeCP2 and the nuclear corepressor, NCoR, on the organization of juvenile social play behavior.
Auger
Anthony P
AP
Psychology Department and Neuroscience Training Program, 1202 West Johnson Street, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA. apauger@wisc.edu
Jessen
Heather M
HM
Edelmann
Michelle N
MN
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006655:Histone Deacetylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior
D006657:Histones; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2; D006655:Histone Deacetylases