The autism candidate gene Neurobeachin encodes a scaffolding protein implicated in membrane trafficking and signaling.
Curr Mol Med
; 11(3): 204-17, 2011 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21375492
ABSTRACT
Autism is a developmental disorder of the central nervous system characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and restricted repetitive and stereotyped behavior. It is generally assumed that in most cases autism has a polygenic cause, but the pathogenesis is still unknown. Neurobeachin (NBEA) has recently been identified as a candidate gene for autism in a patient with a de novo chromosomal translocation and three patients with a monoallelic deletion. This multidomain scaffolding protein has been suggested to be involved in neuronal post-Golgi membrane traffic. Knockout of Nbea in two independent mouse models has demonstrated a role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic functioning. Knockdown in a cell line has shown a role as negative regulator of secretion of large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) and haploinsufficiency in blood platelets results in dense granules with an aberrant morphology. A potential role in vesicle transport is further supported by a study of SEL-2, the C.elegans homologue of NBEA. This protein was identified as a negative regulator of LIN-12/Notch activity, probably due to defects in endosomal trafficking. Members of the Notch pathway have also been shown to be modifiers of the NBEA homologue in Drosophila, rugose. These new insights in the function of NBEA may help identifying novel pathways affected in autistic patients. In particular, it suggests that impaired functionality of LDCVs, which contain neurotrophins, neuropeptides and monoamines, might contribute to the pathogenesis of autism in at least a subgroup of patients.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtorno Autístico
/
Proteínas de Transporte
/
Membrana Celular
/
Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Curr Mol Med
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Bélgica