Epigenomics and proteomics of brain disorders

Epigenomic mechanisms (DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling/histone modifications, miRNA regulation) are involved in the transcriptional and post-translational regulation of genes in physiological and pathological conditions leading to potentially reversible phenotypes. Mutations in the genes encoding elements of the epigenetic machinery cause epigenetic Mendelian disorders. Epigenetic aberrations contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental, imprinting, neuropsychiatric, and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Some brain disorders exhibit proteoepigenomic changes resulting from primary genomic traits and/or secondary epigenetic events which induce pathogenic (structural, functional, conformational) changes in key proteins. Proteomic biomarkers and epigenomic signatures may help in the prediction, early diagnosis, and prognosis of CNS disorders. Epigenetic drug discovery, application of pharmacoepigenomic procedures for personalized therapeutics, novel approaches to decode and resolve drug resistance, and targeting miRNAs in prevention and treatment of brain disorders are promising areas of future development.