title: Histone and DNA Modifications as Regulators of Neuronal Development and Function.
abstract: DNA and histone modifications, together with constraints imposed by nuclear architecture, contribute to the transcriptional regulatory landscape of the nervous system. Here, we provide select examples showing how these regulatory layers, often referred to as epigenetic, contribute to neuronal differentiation and function. We describe the interplay between DNA methylation and Polycomb-mediated repression during neuronal differentiation, the role of DNA methylation and long-range enhancer-promoter interactions in Protocadherin promoter choice, and the contribution of heterochromatic silencing and nuclear organization in singular olfactory receptor expression. Finally, we explain how the activity-dependent expression of a histone variant determines the longevity of olfactory sensory neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032.
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lomvardas
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maniatis
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006657:Histones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D004247:DNA