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

Sophie A. Nothof (1) , Frédérique Magdinier (1) , Julien Van-Gils (1, 2)

1 MMG - Marseille medical genetics - Centre de génétique médicale de Marseille
2 U1211 INSERM/MRGM - Laboratoire Maladies Rares: Génétique et Métabolisme (Bordeaux)

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.

Mots clés: neuronal differentiation; histone modification; epigenetics; chromatin; acetylation; methylation; chromatinopathies

Domaines: Neurobiologie; Génomique, Transcriptomique et Protéomique [q-bio.GN]; Biologie du développement

Sophie A. Nothof, Frédérique Magdinier, Julien Van-Gils. Chromatin Structure and Dynamics: Focus on Neuronal Differentiation and Pathological Implication. Genes, 2022, 13 (4), pp.639. ⟨10.3390/genes13040639⟩. ⟨hal-03678849⟩