Innovation
MeCP2 is a methyl-CpG binding protein that binds methylated DNA to repress gene expression. Mutations in MeCP2 lead to neurodevelopmental disorders, including Rett syndrome, one of the most common causes of mental retardation in females. Phosphorylation of MeCP2 on a highly conserved serine residue (S80) is required for its roles in regulating gene expression and neurological function. Moreover, mutations at this S80 residue have been identified in Rett patients and result in neurological deficits in mouse models. UCLA researchers have developed a polyclonal antibody that specific recognizes MeCP2 phosphorylated at S80 in both human and mouse. It can be used to study the function of this activated form of MeCP2 in neurological disease or to screen for potential therapeutics for Rett syndrome.
Applications
This innovation allows the investigator to explore the activation and physiological functions of MeCP2 in human and mouse