Epigenetic Regulation of the Cerebellum

Epigenetic regulators play fundamental roles in the control of gene transcription. Recent studies have uncovered key functions and underlying mechanisms for diverse epigenetic regulators in the development and function of the mammalian cerebellum. As powerful drivers of gene expression, epigenetic proteins recognize and alter chromatin including genomic DNA and the tightly bound histone proteins. Changes in chromatin structure reshape the local genome environment to control access of the transcriptional machinery to genes. Chromatin enzymes are highly expressed in neural precursors and postmitotic neurons in the developing cerebellum. Genetic studies have uncovered novel roles for epigenetic regulators in distinct phases of cerebellar circuit assembly as well as cerebellardependent behavior. Moreover, studies of epigenetics in the cerebellum in some cases have led to entirely new mechanistic insights of how chromatin enzymes regulate the genome. Notably, mutations of epigenetic regulators often trigger neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, generating wide interest in understanding how epigenetic regulators govern the development and function of brain neural circuits including in the cerebellum.