response to early life stress. Early life stress is correlated with hyper-phosphorylation of the MeCP2 protein in paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. This thus causes a reduced occupancy of MeCP2 at the AVP gene's promoter region, and therefore elevated levels of AVP. Vasopressin is a primary hormone involved in the Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, the connectivity in the brain that regulates processing of and reaction to stress. Decreased functioning of the MeCP2 protein thus upregulates the neuronal stress response. References Further reading External links International Rett Syndrome Foundation Rett UK Support and Research Charity Rett Syndrome Research Trust GeneCard RettBASE: IRSA MECP2 Variation Database GeneReview/NIH/UW entry on MECP2-Related Disorders GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on MECP2 Duplication Syndrome UK Site for Families Affected by MECP2. Site for Families Affected by MECP2. Site officiel français sur la duplication MeCP2 DNA-binding proteins Transcription factors Genes on human chromosome X