Abstract
The mutated gene for Rett syndrome, MECP2, has now been identified in ninety percent
of cases. Molecular biologists are immersed in the study of this gene's biology determining
how its mutation could be responsible for such an enigmatic phenotype. In this paper
the same question is considered, reexamining the structural phenotype of the Rett
brain and asking; is MeCP2 present at the appropriate time and place in brain development
to influence the structural and chemical abnormalities which characterize the Rett
brain? Data from the literature and previous research suggest that MeCP2 is expressed
during critical periods of brain development at several sites and in different neurons.
It supports the idea that inadequate functioning of MeCP2 alters trophic factors and
raises the possibility that replacement of these factors might improve brain function.
The availability of mouse models now makes it possible to test such ideas.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 29,
2004
Received:
October 4,
2004
Footnotes
☆Presented in part in 2003 at the Fourth Annual RSRF Symposium, Baltimore, USA and the Second International Rett Syndrome Workshop, Frosen, Sweden.
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
