New Perspectives on Genomic Imprinting, an Essential and Multifaceted Mode of Epigenetic Control in the Developing and Adult Brain

Overview

Journal Annu Rev Neurosci

Specialty Neurology

Date 2016 May 6

PMID 27145912

Citations 41

Authors

Julio D Perez

Nimrod D Rubinstein

Catherine Dulac

Affiliations

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Abstract

Mammalian evolution entailed multiple innovations in gene regulation, including the emergence of genomic imprinting, an epigenetic regulation leading to the preferential expression of a gene from its maternal or paternal allele. Genomic imprinting is highly prevalent in the brain, yet, until recently, its central roles in neural processes have not been fully appreciated. Here, we provide a comprehensive survey of adult and developmental brain functions influenced by imprinted genes, from neural development and wiring to synaptic function and plasticity, energy balance, social behaviors, emotions, and cognition. We further review the widespread identification of parental biases alongside monoallelic expression in brain tissues, discuss their potential roles in dosage regulation of key neural pathways, and suggest possible mechanisms underlying the dynamic regulation of imprinting in the brain. This review should help provide a better understanding of the significance of genomic imprinting in the normal and pathological brain of mammals including humans.

Citing Articles

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Epigenetic regulation in adult neural stem cells.

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The parenting hub of the hypothalamus is a focus of imprinted gene action.

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Allelic chromatin structure precedes imprinted expression of during neurogenesis.

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