What gene and or chromosome is mutated in autism?

19

Content

Video answer: Autism: new mutations, models and genetic subtypes

Autism: new mutations, models and genetic subtypes

Top best answers to the question «What gene and or chromosome is mutated in autism»

Researchers found that a small cluster of mutations in the NLGN4X gene, which has been linked to autism spectrum disorder, may explain the sex differences tied to the gene. Although NLGN4X is only involved in a small number of cases, the study helps boost our understanding of the causes of this disorder.

Video answer: Autism and genetics

Autism and genetics

18 other answers

Unlike most cases of autism, syndromic forms of the disorder are caused by mutations in single genes or chromosomal regions. A number of these genes are on the X chromosome, such as MeCP2, which leads to Rett syndrome, and FMR1, which is linked to fragile X syndrome. Mutations in two other X chromosome genes, neuroligin 3 (NLGN3) and neuroligin 4 (NLGN4X), are also associated with autism.

But less than 1 percent of non-syndromic cases of autism stem from mutations in any single gene. So far, at least, there is no such thing as an ‘autism gene’ — meaning that no gene is consistently mutated in every person with autism. There also does not seem to be any gene that causes autism every time it is mutated.

Cytogenetic abnormalities at the 15q11-q13 locus are fairly frequent in people with autism, and a "chromosome 15 phenotype" was described in individuals with chromosome 15 duplications. Among other candidate genes are the FOXP2, RAY1/ST7, IMMP2L, and RELN genes at 7q22-q33 and the GABA(A) receptor subunit and UBE3A genes on chromosome 15q11-q13.

Previous studies have linked mutations in a gene called NLGN4 to autism. NLGNs are important for establishing and maintaining synapses, the places where communication signals are sent between brain cells called neurons.

Individuals with this mutation have developmental delay, difficulty learning, increased anxiety and hyperactivity. In addition to ankyrin-G, Usp9x also protects several other important synapse-enhancing proteins, which when mutated also cause intellectual disability and autism.

Some of the other genes in which rare mutations are associated with ASD, often with other signs and symptoms, are ARID1B, ASH1L, CHD2, CHD8, DYRK1A, POGZ, SHANK3, and SYNGAP1. In most individuals with ASD caused by rare gene mutations, the mutations occur in only a single gene.

A genetic test cannot diagnose or detect autism. That’s because myriad genes along with environmental factors may underlie the condition. Roughly 100 genes have clear ties to autism, but no single gene leads to autism every time it is mutated. For example, only about one in four people missing a stretch of chromosome 16 called 16p11.2 has autism.

National Institutes of Health scientists found that a single amino acid change in the NLGN4 gene, which has been linked to autism symptoms, may drive this difference in some cases. The study was conducted at NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Some cytogenetic examples include trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and deletions of chromosome 15q11-q13, chromosome 16p11.2, and chromosome 22q13. Some monogenic (single gene) conditions associated with autism include Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, and mutations of the CHD8, ARID1B, SHANK3 and SCN1A genes.

Unlike most cases of autism, syndromic forms of the disorder are caused by mutations in single genes or chromosomal regions. A number of these genes are on the X chromosome, such as MeCP2, which leads to Rett syndrome, and FMR1, which is linked to fragile X syndrome. Mutations in two other X chromosome genes, neuroligin 3 (NLGN3) and neuroligin 4 (NLGN4X), are also associated with autism.

But less than 1 percent of non-syndromic cases of autism stem from mutations in any single gene. So far, at least, there is no such thing as an ‘autism gene’ — meaning that no gene is consistently mutated in every person with autism. There also does not seem to be any gene that causes autism every time it is mutated.

Cytogenetic abnormalities at the 15q11-q13 locus are fairly frequent in people with autism, and a "chromosome 15 phenotype" was described in individuals with chromosome 15 duplications. Among other candidate genes are the FOXP2, RAY1/ST7, IMMP2L, and RELN genes at 7q22-q33 and the GABA(A) receptor subunit and UBE3A genes on chromosome 15q11-q13.

Previous studies have linked mutations in a gene called NLGN4 to autism. NLGNs are important for establishing and maintaining synapses, the places where communication signals are sent between brain cells called neurons.

Some of the other genes in which rare mutations are associated with ASD, often with other signs and symptoms, are ARID1B, ASH1L, CHD2, CHD8, DYRK1A, POGZ, SHANK3, and SYNGAP1. In most individuals with ASD caused by rare gene mutations, the mutations occur in only a single gene.

Individuals with this mutation have developmental delay, difficulty learning, increased anxiety and hyperactivity. In addition to ankyrin-G, Usp9x also protects several other important synapse-enhancing proteins, which when mutated also cause intellectual disability and autism.

Some cytogenetic examples include trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and deletions of chromosome 15q11-q13, chromosome 16p11.2, and chromosome 22q13. Some monogenic (single gene) conditions associated with autism include Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, and mutations of the CHD8, ARID1B, SHANK3 and SCN1A genes.

National Institutes of Health scientists found that a single amino acid change in the NLGN4 gene, which has been linked to autism symptoms, may drive this difference in some cases. The study was conducted at NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

A genetic test cannot diagnose or detect autism. That’s because myriad genes along with environmental factors may underlie the condition. Roughly 100 genes have clear ties to autism, but no single gene leads to autism every time it is mutated. For example, only about one in four people missing a stretch of chromosome 16 called 16p11.2 has autism.

Your Answer

Video answer: Autism with chromosome 15q11.2 microdeletion

Autism with chromosome 15q11.2 microdeletion