Nutritional factors in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2009 Apr;33(4):586-92. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2008.03.007. Epub 2008 Apr 3.

Abstract

Environmental factors such as nutrition and housing can influence behavioral and anatomical characteristics of several neurological disorders, including Rett syndrome (RTT). RTT is associated with mutations in the X-linked gene encoding MeCP2, a transcriptional repressor that binds methylated DNA. While direct genetic intervention in humans is impossible at this time, motor and cognitive deficits in RTT may be ameliorated through manipulations of epigenetic/environmental factors. For example, studies in rodents suggest that choline nutrient supplementation during critical periods of brain development enhances cholinergic neurotransmission, alters neuronal size and distribution, and facilitates performance of memory and motoric tasks. Recent work in a mouse model of RTT shows that enhancing maternal nutrition through choline supplementation improves both anatomical and behavioral symptoms in the mutant offspring. We describe here cellular and molecular mechanisms that may underlie this specific enhancement and may provide more general insights into mechanisms underlying gene-environment interactions in neurological disorders.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / pathology
  • Choline / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • DNA Methylation / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Genes, X-Linked
  • Humans
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology*
  • Rett Syndrome* / diet therapy
  • Rett Syndrome* / genetics
  • Rett Syndrome* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
  • Choline
  • Acetylcholine