Epigenetics and Chromatin in Memory and Brain Disorders
Mutations in genes encoding proteins that regulate chromatin structure are one of the most frequent causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, like Autism and Intellectual Disability. We have very limited knowledge about how disrupted chromatin regulation can impact brain function. The main goals of the Kramer lab are: 1) To understand the role of epigenetics and chromatin in regulation of learning and memory. 2) To reveal the disease mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders that are caused by disrupted chromatin regulation.
Recent Work
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Drosophila courtship memory and the memory induced transcriptome
Conditioned courtship suppression in Drosophila melanogaster
Mushroom body specific transcriptome analysis reveals dynamic regulation of learning and memory genes after acquisition of long-term courtship memory.
Epigenetic regulation of stress response by G9a
The epigenetic regulator G9a attenuates stress-induced resistance and metabolic transcriptional programs across different stressors and species.
The histone methyltransferase G9a regulates tolerance to oxidative stress-induced energy consumption.
Identification and functional characterization of a novel chromatin related disease genes
Characterization of SETD1A haploinsufficiency in humans and Drosophila defines a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome.
A Syndromic Neurodevelopmental Disorder Caused by Mutations in SMARCD1, a Core SWI/SNF Subunit Needed for Context-Dependent Neuronal Gene Regulation in Flies.
Nixon et al. (2019) American Journal of Human Genetics. 104(4): 596-610.
Individual components of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex have distinct roles in memory neurons of the Drosophila mushroom body.
Functional Convergence of Histone Methyltransferases EHMT1 and KMT2C Involved in Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Contact
Information
Jamie M. Kramer (Ph.D.)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Faculty of Medicine
Dalhousie University
5850 College St.
Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, Room 10M
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B3H4R2