Mutations in the methyl-DNA binding domain of MECP2 cause Rett syndrome; however, distinct mutations are associated with different severity of the disease. Live-cell imaging and single-molecule tracking are sensitive methods to quantify the DNA binding affinity and diffusion dynamics of nuclear proteins. In this issue of Genes & Development, Zhou and colleagues (pp. 883–900) used these imaging methods to quantitatively describe the partial loss of DNA binding resulting from a novel pathological MECP2 mutation with intermediate disease severity. These data demonstrate how single-molecule tracking can advance understanding of the molecular mechanisms connecting MECP2 mutations with Rett syndrome pathophysiology.

中文翻译：

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MECP2 与 DNA 结合的成像

MECP2 甲基 DNA 结合域的突变导致 Rett 综合征；然而，不同的突变与疾病的不同严重程度相关。活细胞成像和单分子追踪是量化核蛋白 DNA 结合亲和力和扩散动力学的敏感方法。在本期《Genes & Development》中，Zhou 及其同事（第 883-900 页）使用这些成像方法定量描述了具有中等疾病严重程度的新型病理性MECP2突变导致的 DNA 结合部分丧失。这些数据证明单分子追踪如何促进对MECP2突变与 Rett 综合征病理生理学之间的分子机制的理解。