MeCP2 is a transcriptional regulator important for neurodevelopment and is involved in Rett syndrome and
autism. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Cheng and colleagues (2014) report that MeCP2 also regulates
microRNA biogenesis. MeCP2 phosphorylation induces a direct interaction with DGCR8, leading to reduced
microRNA processing and retardation of dendritic growth.