MeCP2 and transcriptional control of eukaryotic gene expression

Abstract

Eukaryotic gene expression is controlled at multiple steps that work in harmony to ensure proper maintenance of cellular morphology and function. Such regulatory mechanisms would include transcriptional gene regulation, which is in turn controlled by chromatin remodeling, distinct topologically associating domains of the chromatin structure, cis-regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters, action of trans-acting factors, DNA methylation, RNA modifications, and post-translational modification of histones. These guiding mechanisms of gene expression play critical roles in the epigenetic setting of individual cells within the eukaryotic systems. Some epigenetic factors may play multiple functional roles in guarding the accurate gene expression program of the eukaryotic cells, especially within the central nervous system. A well-studied example of such multi-functional factors is the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a nuclear protein that is encoded by the X-linked MECP2 gene. Here, we aim to provide an overview of eukaryotic gene regulation, the three-dimensional chromatin organization, standard techniques to study newly synthesized RNA transcripts, and the role of MeCP2 as an important transcriptional regulator in eukaryotes.