PUBLICATION

A neuronal enhancer network upstream of MEF2C is compromised in patients with Rett-like characteristics

Authors
D'haene, E., Bar-Yaacov, R., Bariah, I., Vantomme, L., Van Loo, S., Cobos, F.A., Verboom, K., Eshel, R., Alatawna, R., Menten, B., Birnbaum, R.Y., Vergult, S.
ID
ZDB-PUB-181118-12
Date
2018
Source
Human molecular genetics   28(5): 818-827 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Birnbaum, Ramon
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Genetic Association Studies/methods
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • MEF2 Transcription Factors/genetics*
  • Neurons/metabolism*
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Rett Syndrome/diagnosis
  • Rett Syndrome/genetics*
PubMed
30445463 Full text @ Hum. Mol. Genet.
Abstract
Mutations in myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), an important transcription factor in neurodevelopment, are associated with a Rett-like syndrome. Structural variants (SVs) upstream of MEF2C, that do not disrupt the gene itself, have also been found in patients with a similar phenotype, suggesting that disruption of MEF2C regulatory elements can also cause a Rett-like phenotype. To characterize those elements that regulate MEF2C during neural development and which are affected by these SVs, we used genomic tools coupled with both in vitro and in vivo functional assays. Through 4C-seq and ATAC-seq, we revealed a complex interaction network in which the MEF2C promoter physicallycontacts several distal enhancers that are deleted or translocated by disease-associated SVs. Sixteen selected candidate regulatory sequences were tested for enhancer activity in vitro, with fourteen found to be functional enhancers. Further analyses of their in vivo activity in zebrafish showed that each of these enhancers has a distinct activity pattern during development, with eight enhancers displaying neuronal activity. In summary, our results disentangle a complex regulatory network governing neuronalMEF2Cexpression that involves multiple distal enhancers. In addition, the characterized neuronal enhancers pose as novel candidates to screen for mutations in neuro developmental disorders, such as Rett-likesyndrome.
Errata / Notes
This article is corrected by ZDB-PUB-220906-193 .
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping