Brain regionalization by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility

Bioessays. 2021 Nov;43(11):e2100155. doi: 10.1002/bies.202100155. Epub 2021 Sep 18.

Abstract

During brain development, neural precursor cells (NPCs) in different brain regions produce different types of neurons, and each of these regions plays a different role in the adult brain. Therefore, precise regionalization is essential in the early stages of brain development, and irregular regionalization has been proposed as the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanisms underlying brain regionalization have been well studied in terms of morphogen-induced expression of critical transcription factors for regionalization. NPC potential in different brain regions is defined by chromatin structures that regulate the plasticity of gene expression. Herein, we present recent findings on the importance of chromatin structure in brain regionalization, particularly with respect to its regulation by Polycomb-group proteins and chromatin accessibility.

Keywords: ATAC-seq; Polycomb-group proteins; brain regionalization; chromatin; epigenetics; morphogen; neural precursor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism
  • Chromatin*
  • Neural Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Transcription Factors