Researchers have uncovered a fundamental mechanism that lets neurons know when and how to form complex connections between and among brain cells, contributing to normal brain development. The transcription factor CREB is required for the brain to learn and form memories, and its interaction with CBP stimulates gene expression during brain development. Neuronal activity increases repetitive, long-term interactions between CREB and DNA and between CREB and CBP. Furthermore, the sites where CREB interacted with DNA to promote gene expression require prior acetylation mediated by CBP. This study offers new insight into how psychiatric disorders also develop and exploring CREB-CBP interactions in brain-like models could yield additional insight.
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Histone acetylation, transcription factor dynamics contribute to gene expression in brain development
