Epigenetic regulation of memory: implications in human cognitive disorders

Epigenetic modification of chromatin structure is an important mechanism in the regulation of gene expression. Recent studies have shown that dynamic regulation of chromatin structure occurs in response to neuronal stimulation associated with learning and memory. Learning-induced chromatin modificat...

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Published inBiomolecular concepts Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
Main Author Kramer, Jamie M.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany De Gruyter 01.02.2013
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Subjects
Chromatin
Cognition Disorders - genetics
Cognition Disorders - physiopathology
cognitive disorders
DNA methylation
DNA Methylation - genetics
Epigenesis, Genetic
Epigenetics
Gene expression
Histones - metabolism
Humans
intellectual disability
learning and memory
Memory
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear - metabolism
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ISSN1868-5021
1868-503X
1868-503X
DOI10.1515/bmc-2012-0026

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Summary:Epigenetic modification of chromatin structure is an important mechanism in the regulation of gene expression. Recent studies have shown that dynamic regulation of chromatin structure occurs in response to neuronal stimulation associated with learning and memory. Learning-induced chromatin modifications include DNA methylation, histone acetylation, histone phosphorylation and histone methylation. Studies in animal models have used genetic and pharmacological methods to manipulate the epigenetic machinery in the brain during learning and memory formation. In general, these studies suggest that epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure is essential for long term memory (LTM) consolidation, which is known to require new gene transcription. Analysis of animal models has also implicated epigenetic mechanisms in impaired cognition associated with aging, neurodegenerative disease, and intellectual disability (ID). Recently, it has been shown that a subset of ID disorders and autism are caused by disruption of specific chromatin modification complexes that are involved in nuclear hormone receptor mediated transcriptional regulation. This review provides an overview of chromatin modifications that are implicated in learning and memory and discusses the role of chromatin modifying proteins in learning-induced transcriptional regulation and human cognitive disorders.
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ISSN:1868-5021
1868-503X
1868-503X
DOI:10.1515/bmc-2012-0026