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Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure?

Nature Neuroscience volume 12, pages 239–240 (2009)Cite this article

Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl CpG–binding protein (MeCP2). The loss of MeCP2 function in neurons was thought to cause the disease. A study now challenges this assumption by showing that MeCP2 is expressed in glia and that MeCP2 loss in glia causes abnormalities in neighboring neurons.

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Figure 1: Mecp2−/− astrocytes secrete a factor that is toxic to neurons.

Kim Caesar

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The author is in the Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics, Programs in Cell and Molecular Biology and Developmental Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. hzoghbi@bcm.edu,

    Huda Y Zoghbi

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  1. Huda Y Zoghbi
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Zoghbi, H. Rett syndrome: what do we know for sure?. Nat Neurosci 12, 239–240 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0309-239

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