Suppression of MeCP2beta expression inhibits neurite extension in PC12 cells.

Regulation of gene expression is critical to the proper development of neuronal cells. The methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) operates as a transcriptional repressor by facilitating histone deacetylation and DNA methylation-dependent transcriptional silencing. This study examined the importance of MeCP2 in the regulation of neurite formation in PC12 cells.

Caspase activation independent of cell death is required for proper cell dispersal and correct morphology in PC12 cells.

Caspase activation is indispensable for the proper execution of apoptosis. However, to date, little is known about other possible physiologic functions for this class of enzymes in addition to their well-defined role in apoptosis. In this report, we described an action of caspase-3 involving cell dispersion that is independent of cell death.