DNA methylation in Schwann cells and in oligodendrocytes

International audience ; DNA methylation is one of many epigenetic marks, which directly modifies base residues,usually cytosines, in a multiple-step cycle. It has been linked to the regulationof gene expression and alternative splicing in several cell types, including during celllineage specification and differentiation processes. DNA methylation changes havealso been observed during aging, and aberrant methylation patterns have beenreported in several neurological diseases. We here review the role of DNA methylationin Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes, the myelin-forming glia of the peripheraland central nervous systems, respectively. We first address how methylation anddemethylation are regulating myelinating cells' differentiation during developmentand repair. We then mention how DNA methylation dysregulation in diseases andcancers could explain their pathogenesis by directly influencing myelinating cells' proliferationand differentiation capacities.