Insight into cause of rare disorder may aid quest for treatments

The disease, known as MeCP2 duplication syndrome, leads to severe intellectual disability, seizures and impaired motor function.

Scientists have examined molecular details of the biological causes behind the disorder, which is caused by duplication of a section of DNA, including a gene known as MeCP2. The same gene is linked with Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects mostly girls.

Extra Gene

Researchers carried out studies in mice to better understand how an abundance of protein produced by the extra gene gives rise to the condition.

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh found that disease symptoms depend on a key part of the MeCP2 protein binding to another set of proteins known as NCoR. When this happens in excess, disease symptoms arise. 

Researchers examined a key component of NCoR that is known to interfere with DNA, but they were surprised to find that removing this part had no effect on symptoms. 

Future Studies

This suggests that drugs targeting this component’s function would not relieve the condition.

Research is now focused on drugs that could block the interaction between MeCP2 and NCoR, as a way to prevent the symptoms associated with an excess of protein.

The research, published in Genes & Development, was funded by Wellcome, the Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the Medical Research Council.

“We have effectively ruled out a key possible biological mechanism behind duplication syndrome. Our research points towards other avenues that might prove fruitful in the quest for treatments.”

Dr Martha Koerner

Related Links

Toxicity of overexpressed MeCP2 is independent of HDAC3 activity, Genes and Development