title: In the loop: how chromatin topology links genome structure to function in mechanisms underlying learning and memory.
abstract: Different aspects of learning, memory, and cognition are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as covalent DNA modifications and histone post-translational modifications. More recently, the modulation of chromatin architecture and nuclear organization is emerging as a key factor in dynamic transcriptional regulation of the post-mitotic neuron. For instance, neuronal activity induces relocalization of gene loci to 'transcription factories', and specific enhancer-promoter looping contacts allow for precise transcriptional regulation. Moreover, neuronal activity-dependent DNA double-strand break formation in the promoter of immediate early genes appears to overcome topological constraints on transcription. Together, these findings point to a critical role for genome topology in integrating dynamic environmental signals to define precise spatiotemporal gene expression programs supporting cognitive processes.
authors.affiliation: Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, USA.
authors.forename: L Ashley
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Building 46, Room 4235A, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Electronic address: lhtsai@mit.edu.
authors.forename: Li-Huei
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D016678:Genome; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones