Novel alterations in the epigenetic signature of MeCP2-targeted promoters in lymphocytes of Rett syndrome patients

Figures & data

Figure 1. Model of the BDNF locus with primers marked over promoters I-IV

Figure 2. RTT syndrome is associated with higher density of histone H3 and lower levels of histone H3 methylation on promoters in lymphocytes. ChIPs of histone H3 (A), histone H3, trimethylated on lysine 4 (H3K4me3) (B), histone H3 acetylated on lysine 9 (H3K9ac) (C), and histone H3 acetylated on lysine 27 (H3K27ac) (D) on BDNF promoters, DLX5 promoter, C-FOS promoter and Myglobin exon 2. H3K4me3 was significantly lower in RTT patient lymphocytes than control subjects whereas H3K9ac and H3K27ac modification ratio was not significantly altered. A trend toward lower acetylation ratio in RTT patients was noted.

Figure 3. No significant differences were seen in density of histones H1 and H2B between RTT patient lymphocytes and control subjects. No significant differences were seen in occupancy of S5P-RNAP II or occupancy of MeCP2 between RTT patient lymphocytes and control subjects. ChIPs of histone H1 (A), histone H2B (B), S5P-RNAP II (C) and MeCP2 (D) on BDNF promoters, DLX5 promoter, C-FOS promoter and Myglobin exon 2.

Table 1. Primers used

Gene	Forward	Reverse
BDNF I promoter	CCCTCCCCCATCATGACTA	CCATTTGATCATCACTCACGA
BDNF II promoter	ATCGCCCGGATTACACAC	TGGAAGAAACCGTCTAGAGCA
BDNF III promoter	ACCCAGAAAGAAGCATCCAG	CTCCATCCCTCCCTCATTCT
BDNF IV promoter	TGCACGAATTACCAGAATCAA	GCTGGAAGTGAAAACATCTGC
Myoglobin exon 2	Diagenode primers
C-FOS promoter	Diagenode primers
DLX5 promoter	GGAGACTGGGAGTCGTGAAG	GGCCAATAGAACCAGATCCA