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Review
. 2017 Feb 7:11:23.
doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00023. eCollection 2017.

Epigenetic Modulation of Stem Cells in Neurodevelopment: The Role of Methylation and Acetylation

Martyna Podobinska  1 , Ilona Szablowska-Gadomska  2 , Justyna Augustyniak  1 , Ioanna Sandvig  3 , Axel Sandvig  3 , Leonora Buzanska  1
Affiliations
Review

Epigenetic Modulation of Stem Cells in Neurodevelopment: The Role of Methylation and Acetylation

Martyna Podobinska et al. Front Cell Neurosci. .

Abstract

The coordinated development of the nervous system requires fidelity in the expression of specific genes determining the different neural cell phenotypes. Stem cell fate decisions during neurodevelopment are strictly correlated with their epigenetic status. The epigenetic regulatory processes, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications discussed in this review article, may impact both neural stem cell (NSC) self-renewal and differentiation and thus play an important role in neurodevelopment. At the same time, stem cell decisions regarding fate commitment and differentiation are highly dependent on the temporospatial expression of specific genes contingent on the developmental stage of the nervous system. An interplay between the above, as well as basic cell processes, such as transcription regulation, DNA replication, cell cycle regulation and DNA repair therefore determine the accuracy and function of neuronal connections. This may significantly impact embryonic health and development as well as cognitive processes such as neuroplasticity and memory formation later in the adult.

Keywords: acetylation; epigenetics; methylation; neurodevelopment; neuroplasticity; stem cells.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the correlation of the stem cells’ developmental hierarchy with their epigenetic status based on the balance between inhibitory (DNA and H3K27 methylation) and permissive (H3K4 methylation) epigenetic marks.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nucleosome organization and histone post-translational modifications (PTMs).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Classification of enzymes involved in the histone PTMs and representative members of each class.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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