Transcriptional Regulation of MECP2E1-E2 Isoforms and BDNF by Metformin and Simvastatin through Analyzing Nascent RNA Synthesis in a Human Brain Cell Line

Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is the main DNA methyl-binding protein in the brain that binds to 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine. MECP2 gene mutations are the main origin of Rett Syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder in young females. The disease has no existing cure, however, metabolic drugs such as metformin and statins have recently emerged as potential therapeutic candidates. In addition, induced MECP2-BDNF homeostasis regulation has been suggested as a therapy avenue. Here, we analyzed nascent RNA synthesis versus steady state total cellular RNA to study the transcriptional effects of metformin (an anti-diabetic drug) on MECP2 isoforms (E1 and E2) and BNDF in a human brain cell line. Additionally, we investigated the impact of simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug) on transcriptional regulation of MECP2E1/E2-BDNF. Metformin was capable of post-transcriptionally inducing BDNF and/or MECP2E1, while transcriptionally inhibiting MECP2E2. In contrast simvastatin significantly inhibited BDNF transcription without significantly impacting MECP2E2 transcripts. Further analysis of ribosomal RNA transcripts confirmed that the drug neither individually nor in combination affected these fundamentally important transcripts. Experimental analysis was completed in conditions of the presence or absence of serum starvation that showed minimal impact for serum deprival, although significant inhibition of steady state MECP2E1 by simvastatin was only detected in non-serum starved cells. Taken together, our results suggest that metformin controls MECP2E1/E2-BDNF transcriptionally and/or post-transcriptionally, and that simvastatin is a potent transcriptional inhibitor of BDNF. The transcriptional effect of these drugs on MECP2E1/E2-BDNF were not additive under these tested conditions, however, either drug may have potential application for related disorders.