Chromatin Structure and Dynamics: Focus on Neuronal Differentiation and Pathological Implication

• Published in: Genes Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 639
• Main Authors: Nothof, Sophie A, Magdinier, Frédérique, Van-Gils, Julien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 02.04.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Amino acids; Biochemistry, Molecular Biology; Cell cycle; Central nervous system; Chromatin; Chromatin - genetics; Development Biology; DNA methylation; DNA Methylation - genetics; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetics; Gene expression; Genomes; Genomics; Histones; Histones - metabolism; Life Sciences; Molecular weight; Neurobiology; Neurogenesis; Neurons and Cognition; Non-coding RNA; Photoreceptors; Post-translation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational - genetics; Proteins; Review; Translation; acetylation; histone modification; methylation; chromatin; chromatinopathies; epigenetics; neuronal differentiation
• ISSN: 2073-4425; 2073-4425
• DOI: 10.3390/genes13040639

Chromatin structure is an essential regulator of gene expression. Its state of compaction contributes to the regulation of genetic programs, in particular during differentiation. Epigenetic processes, which include post-translational modifications of histones, DNA methylation and implication of non-coding RNA, are powerful regulators of gene expression. Neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation are spatio-temporally regulated events that allow the formation of the central nervous system components. Here, we review the chromatin structure and post-translational histone modifications associated with neuronal differentiation. Studying the impact of histone modifications on neuronal differentiation improves our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of chromatinopathies and opens up new therapeutic avenues. In addition, we will discuss techniques for the analysis of histone modifications on a genome-wide scale and the pathologies associated with the dysregulation of the epigenetic machinery.