title: [Epigenetic regulation in neuronal differentiation and brain function].
abstract: DNA methylation compacts chromatin structure and represses gene transcription. It is important for numerous cellular processes, including embryonic development, X-chromosome inactivation, suppression of transposable elements, and cellular differentiation. In addition, environmental cues, including drugs, pollutants, trauma or early-life social environment, alter DNA methylation patterns in different organs. For instance, studies have unravelled a complex and dynamic interplay between environment, DNA methylation and neuron function during development and in the adult. This crosstalk is hypothesized as an essential molecular event underlying the effects of long-term memory, drug addiction, and several psychotic and behavioural disorders. In this review, we give a summary of this exciting field of research and highlight the molecular functions of DNA methylation and of proteins interacting with methylated DNA.
authors.affiliation: Unité d'Épigénétique et Destin Cellulaire, CNRS UMR7216, Université Paris Diderot 35, rue Hélène Brion, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France.
authors.forename: Laetitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kasprzyk
authors.forename: Pierre-Antoine
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Defossez
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Miotto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*