methyl-CpG binding protein 2
Last updated 14 Apr 2023
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The MECP2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called MeCP2. This protein helps regulate gene activity (expression) by modifying chromatin, the complex of DNA and protein that packages DNA into chromosomes. The MeCP2 protein is present in cells throughout the body, although it is particularly abundant in brain cells.
Normal function
The MECP2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called MeCP2. This protein helps regulate gene activity (expression) by modifying chromatin, the complex of DNA and protein that packages DNA into chromosomes. The MeCP2 protein is present in cells throughout the body, although it is particularly abundant in brain cells.
In the brain, the MeCP2 protein is important for the function of several types of cells, including nerve cells (neurons). The protein likely plays a role in maintaining connections (synapses) between neurons, where cell-to-cell communication occurs. Many of the genes that are known to be regulated by the MeCP2 protein play a role in normal brain function, particularly the maintenance of synapses.
Researchers believe that the MeCP2 protein may also be involved in processing molecules called messenger RNA (mRNA), which serve as genetic blueprints for making proteins. By cutting and rearranging mRNA molecules in different ways, the MeCP2 protein controls the production of different versions of certain proteins. This process is known as alternative splicing. In the brain, the alternative splicing of proteins is critical for normal communication between neurons and may also be necessary for the function of other types of brain cells.
Conditions referring to this gene or chromosome
Other names
MeCP2 protein
MECP2_HUMAN
methyl CpG binding protein 2
methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Rett syndrome)
MRX16
MRX79
PPMX
RTS
RTT
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Further reading and references
- methyl-CpG binding protein 2; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Adkins NL, Georgel PT. MeCP2: structure and function. Biochem Cell Biol. 2011 Feb;89(1):1-11. doi: 10.1139/O10-112.
- Amir RE, Van den Veyver IB, Wan M, Tran CQ, Francke U, Zoghbi HY. Rett syndrome is caused by mutations in X-linked MECP2, encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2. Nat Genet. 1999 Oct;23(2):185-8. doi: 10.1038/13810.
- Carney RM, Wolpert CM, Ravan SA, Shahbazian M, Ashley-Koch A, Cuccaro ML, Vance JM, Pericak-Vance MA. Identification of MeCP2 mutations in a series of females with autistic disorder. Pediatr Neurol. 2003 Mar;28(3):205-11. doi: 10.1016/s0887-8994(02)00624-0.
- Chahrour M, Zoghbi HY. The story of Rett syndrome: from clinic to neurobiology. Neuron. 2007 Nov 8;56(3):422-37. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2007.10.001.
- Gonzales ML, LaSalle JM. The role of MeCP2 in brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2010 Apr;12(2):127-34. doi: 10.1007/s11920-010-0097-7.
- Lombardi LM, Baker SA, Zoghbi HY. MECP2 disorders: from the clinic to mice and back. J Clin Invest. 2015 Aug 3;125(8):2914-23. doi: 10.1172/JCI78167. Epub 2015 Aug 3.
- Lugtenberg D, Kleefstra T, Oudakker AR, Nillesen WM, Yntema HG, Tzschach A, Raynaud M, Rating D, Journel H, Chelly J, Goizet C, Lacombe D, Pedespan JM, Echenne B, Tariverdian G, O'Rourke D, King MD, Green A, van Kogelenberg M, Van Esch H, Gecz J, Hamel BC, van Bokhoven H, de Brouwer AP. Structural variation in Xq28: MECP2 duplications in 1% of patients with unexplained XLMR and in 2% of male patients with severe encephalopathy. Eur J Hum Genet. 2009 Apr;17(4):444-53. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2008.208. Epub 2008 Nov 5.
- Lyst MJ, Bird A. Rett syndrome: a complex disorder with simple roots. Nat Rev Genet. 2015 May;16(5):261-75. doi: 10.1038/nrg3897. Epub 2015 Mar 3.
- McGraw CM, Samaco RC, Zoghbi HY. Adult neural function requires MeCP2. Science. 2011 Jul 8;333(6039):186. doi: 10.1126/science.1206593. Epub 2011 Jun 2.
- Neul JL, Zoghbi HY. Rett syndrome: a prototypical neurodevelopmental disorder. Neuroscientist. 2004 Apr;10(2):118-28. doi: 10.1177/1073858403260995.
- Samaco RC, Neul JL. Complexities of Rett syndrome and MeCP2. J Neurosci. 2011 Jun 1;31(22):7951-9. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0169-11.2011. No abstract available.
- Signorini C, De Felice C, Leoncini S, Moller RS, Zollo G, Buoni S, Cortelazzo A, Guerranti R, Durand T, Ciccoli L, D'Esposito M, Ravn K, Hayek J. MECP2 Duplication Syndrome: Evidence of Enhanced Oxidative Stress. A Comparison with Rett Syndrome. PLoS One. 2016 Mar 1;11(3):e0150101. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150101. eCollection 2016.
- Skene PJ, Illingworth RS, Webb S, Kerr AR, James KD, Turner DJ, Andrews R, Bird AP. Neuronal MeCP2 is expressed at near histone-octamer levels and globally alters the chromatin state. Mol Cell. 2010 Feb 26;37(4):457-68. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2010.01.030.
- Van Esch H, Bauters M, Ignatius J, Jansen M, Raynaud M, Hollanders K, Lugtenberg D, Bienvenu T, Jensen LR, Gecz J, Moraine C, Marynen P, Fryns JP, Froyen G. Duplication of the MECP2 region is a frequent cause of severe mental retardation and progressive neurological symptoms in males. Am J Hum Genet. 2005 Sep;77(3):442-53. doi: 10.1086/444549. Epub 2005 Jul 29.
- Viana MC, Menezes AN, Moreira MA, Pissinatti A, Seuanez HN. MECP2, a gene associated with Rett syndrome in humans, shows conserved coding regions, independent Alu insertions, and a novel transcript across primate evolution. BMC Genet. 2015 Jul 7;16:77. doi: 10.1186/s12863-015-0240-x.
- Young JI, Hong EP, Castle JC, Crespo-Barreto J, Bowman AB, Rose MF, Kang D, Richman R, Johnson JM, Berget S, Zoghbi HY. Regulation of RNA splicing by the methylation-dependent transcriptional repressor methyl-CpG binding protein 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Dec 6;102(49):17551-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0507856102. Epub 2005 Oct 26.
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