MeCP2 is a microsatellite binding protein that protects CA repeats from nucleosome invasion.
Fiche publication
Date publication
juin 2021
Journal
Science (New York, N.Y.)
Auteurs
Membres identifiés du Cancéropôle Est :
Dr BRONNER Christian, Dr HAMICHE Ali, Dr KLAHOLZ Bruno
Tous les auteurs :
Ibrahim A, Papin C, Mohideen-Abdul K, Le Gras S, Stoll I, Bronner C, Dimitrov S, Klaholz BP, Hamiche A
Lien Pubmed
Résumé
The Rett syndrome protein MeCP2 was described as a methyl-CpG-binding protein, but its exact function remains unknown. Here we show that mouse MeCP2 is a microsatellite binding protein that specifically recognizes hydroxymethylated CA repeats. Depletion of MeCP2 alters chromatin organization of CA repeats and lamina-associated domains and results in nucleosome accumulation on CA repeats and genome-wide transcriptional dysregulation. The structure of MeCP2 in complex with a hydroxymethylated CA repeat reveals a characteristic DNA shape, with considerably modified geometry at the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, which is recognized specifically by Arg, a key residue whose mutation causes Rett syndrome. Our work identifies MeCP2 as a microsatellite DNA binding protein that targets the 5hmC-modified CA-rich strand and maintains genome regions nucleosome-free, suggesting a role for MeCP2 dysfunction in Rett syndrome.
Référence
Science. 2021 Jun 25;372(6549):