Cited by 877Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchGenomics and Rare Diseases

Brain-Specific Phosphorylation of MeCP2 Regulates Activity-Dependent Bdnf Transcription, Dendritic Growth, and Spine Maturation

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Zhou, Zhaolan, Hong, Elizabeth J., Cohen, Sonia, Zhao, Wen-ning, Ho, Hsin-yi Henry, Schmidt, Lauren, Chen, Wen G., Lin, Yingxi +6 more·2006·Neuron

Abstract

Mutations or duplications in MECP2 cause Rett and Rett-like syndromes, neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by mental retardation, motor dysfunction, and autistic behaviors. MeCP2 is expressed in many mammalian tissues and functions as a global repressor of transcription; however, the molecular mechanisms by which MeCP2 dysfunction leads to the neural-specific phenotypes of RTT remain poorly understood. Here, we show that neuronal activity and subsequent calcium influx trigger the de novo phosphorylation of MeCP2 at serine 421 (S421) by a CaMKII-dependent mechanism. MeCP2 S421 phosphorylation is induced selectively in the brain in response to physiological stimuli. Significantly, we find that S421 phosphorylation controls the ability of MeCP2 to regulate dendritic patterning, spine morphogenesis, and the activity-dependent induction of Bdnf transcription. These findings suggest that, by triggering MeCP2 phosphorylation, neuronal activity regulates a program of gene expression that mediates nervous system maturation and that disruption of this process in individuals with mutations in MeCP2 may underlie the neural-specific pathology of RTT.

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Authors
Zhou, Z., Hong, E. J., Cohen, S., Zhao, W.-N., Ho, H.-Y. H., Schmidt, L., Chen, W. G., Lin, Y., Savner, E., Griffith, E. C., Hu, L., Steen, J. A. J., Weitz, C. J., & Greenberg, M. E.
Affiliations
  • Boston Children's Hospital (US)
  • Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Greenberg, Michael E.
Venue
Neuron
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-10
Volume
52
Issue
2
Pages
255-269
ISSN
0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2149119305
Cited by
877
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 69 · 2013: 65 · 2012: 62
FWCI
22.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuron (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Helen Hay Whitney Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health (NS048276, NS43491)
  • Hertz Foundation
  • Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
  • International Rett Syndrome Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genomics and Rare Diseases
Keywords
MeCP2, Rett syndrome, dendritic growth, dendritic spine maturation, CaMKII, neuronal activity, calcium influx, transcriptional repression, brain development
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Cell Differentiation, Neural Pathways, Synaptic Transmission, Neuronal Plasticity, Organ Culture Techniques, Organ Specificity, Phosphorylation, Serine, Rett Syndrome, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Calcium Signaling, Dendritic Spines, Rats, Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2

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