Navigation Links
USC researchers identify gene variant associated with both autism and gastrointestinal dysfunction
Date:3/1/2009

A study led by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) and Vanderbilt University have identified a specific gene variant that links increased genetic risk for autism with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.

The findings suggest that disrupted signaling of the MET gene may contribute to a syndrome that includes autism and co-occurring gastrointestinal dysfunction, says principal investigator Pat Levitt, Ph.D., director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and chair-designate of the Department of cell and neurobiology.

The study will appear in the March Issue of the journal Pediatrics and is now available online.

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication abilities, social behavior disruption and inflexible behavior. While gastrointestinal conditions are common among individuals with autism, researchers have long debated whether co-occurring GI dysfunction represents a unique autism subgroup, Levitt and lead author Daniel Campbell, Ph.D., say.

"Gastrointestinal disorders don't cause autism. Autism is a disorder of brain development," Levitt says. "However, our study is the first to bring together genetic risk for autism and co-occurring GI disorders in a way that provides a biologically plausible explanation for why they are seen together so often."

In the brain, the MET gene is expressed in developing circuits that are involved in social behavior and communication. Disturbances in MET expression result in alterations in how these critical circuits develop and mature, Levitt explains. Research indicates that MET also plays an important role in development and repair of the GI system.

Researchers analyzed medical history records from 214 families in the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE). They found that a variant in the MET gene was associated with autism specifically in those families where an individual had
'/>"/>

Contact: Meghan Lewit
lewit@usc.edu
323-442-3941
University of Southern California
Source:Eurekalert

4

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Researchers piggyback to safer reprogrammed stem cells
2. Researchers capture wave of brain activity linked to anticipation
3. UMMS researchers publish DNA identification of czars children
4. Researchers win award for best clinical paper in orthopedic physical therapy
5. Researchers uncover obesity gene involved in weight gain response to high-fat diet
6. Researchers generate functional neurons from somatic cells
7. UNH researchers studying spiny dogfish, Gulf of Maines mini shark
8. UT Southwestern researchers identify molecule that helps the sleep-deprived to mentally rebound
9. Case Western Reserve researchers develop wireless activation of brain circuits
10. Caltech and UCSD researchers shed light on how proteins find their shapes
11. Researchers call for nitrogen and phosphorus reductions to combat eutrophication in aquatic systems

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:11/30/2009)...scientists from The Forsyth Institute, the Univers...Wadsworth Center, have used state-of-the-art techn...reponema pallidum, the bacterium which causes syph... the bacteria can now be shown in three dimensions...en and reveals previously unknown features, which ...
(Date:11/30/2009)...ov. 30, 2009) Scientists and engineers from two o...ergy will come together Dec. 7 with leading acade... pumping blood. , Much like moving oil through a...ody. Both systems need clean, well-functioning pi...sion, to function efficiently. Both industries als...
(Date:11/30/2009)...temperatures continue to rise scientists are prese...ow species respond and adapt. In a paper published...sco Rodriguez-Trelles and Dr Miguel Rodriguez asse...rming of approximately 0.6˚C has already affe... facing ecologists and evolutionary biologists is ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Scientists gain new understanding of disease-causing bacteria 2Similarities of pumping blood and oil examined 2Similarities of pumping blood and oil examined 3How can scientists measure evolutionary responses to climate change? 2GreenHouse and Allard Research and Development Partner to Revolutionize Large Scale Ethanol Fuel Systems 14549 1GreenHouse and Allard Research and Development Partner to Revolutionize Large Scale Ethanol Fuel Systems 14549 2GreenHouse and Allard Research and Development Partner to Revolutionize Large Scale Ethanol Fuel Systems 14549 3New IVF Guidelines Aim to Reduce Multiple Births 59861 1New IVF Guidelines Aim to Reduce Multiple Births 59861 2Lactose Intolerance Rates May Be Significantly Lower Than Previously Believed 59859 1Lactose Intolerance Rates May Be Significantly Lower Than Previously Believed 59859 2Lactose Intolerance Rates May Be Significantly Lower Than Previously Believed 59859 3Lactose Intolerance Rates May Be Significantly Lower Than Previously Believed 59859 4Lactose Intolerance Rates May Be Significantly Lower Than Previously Believed 59859 5
...Using robotics to manipulate the brain,s perceptio...ers have deepened our understanding of the importa...ntrol of speech. The findings are reported by Sazz...appear in the October 10th issue of the journal Cu... speak, our ability to effectively produce words i...
...When nerve cells excite muscle fibers to flex, get...ht place can mean the difference between feats of ...roteins that have been shown to be major players i...g a flash-freeze physical-fixation technique that ... in neuromuscular synapses. The technique was used...
...In one of the first national studies on guidelines...e in hospitals, researchers from the Indiana Unive...e, Inc. and the Richard Roudebush Veterans Adminis...follow national guidelines on controlling antibiot... , In a study published in the October issue of In...
Other Biology News:Sensory feedback during speech: The brain attunes to more than just sound 2Fast-freeze snapshot yields new picture of nerve-muscle junction 2Controlling antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in hospitals 2
(Date:11/30/2009)..., NOVATO, Calif., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/...announced today that the Food and Drug Administrat...3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP), amifampridine phosp...n Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). 3,4-DAP has previou...Also, in October 2009, the Committee for Medicinal...
(Date:11/30/2009)... , LONDON, November 30 /PRNewswire/...mpany, was named Europe,s fastest growing,Biotech/...y in the Deloitte,2009 Technology Fast 500 for EME...s annual ranking is based on a companies, five-yea... rate of 8,318% over this period. This,achievement...
(Date:11/27/2009)..., PARIS, November 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/...l to market Oralair(R) in both adults and children...the first country where,Oralair(R) has been market...lair(R) is now registered in Austria, Belgium, Bul..., Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,Latvia...
(Date:11/25/2009)... Ambassador to Speak at Economic..., Canada (Vocus) November 25, 2009 -- Ambassador t...,David Appia, French Ambassador for International ...France Agency ,To view a biography of David Appia ...sador Appia is available to meet with press to dis...
Breaking Biology Technology:FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 2FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 3FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for 3,4-DAP for LEMS 4ApaTech is Europe's Fastest Growing Lifescience Company 2ApaTech is Europe's Fastest Growing Lifescience Company 3ApaTech is Europe's Fastest Growing Lifescience Company 4STALLERGENES is Granted a Marketing Authorization for Oralair(R) in Europe 2STALLERGENES is Granted a Marketing Authorization for Oralair(R) in Europe 3French Ambassador for International Investment to Visit Toronto December 11 2
...6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pharmaxis (ASX:...ulatory agency has granted,marketing approval for ...the first Asian approval of Aridol," said Pharmaxi...a is an important base from which,to launch and gr...ion,asthma sufferers and yet only 160,000 bronchia...
...ar energy cheaper and more efficient is the aim of...lifornia, Davis, and Q1 NanoSystems. The universit...., have agreed on terms for exclusive licensing of...stemming from inventions both on and off campus. ,...facture of very thin, very small wires, films and ...
.... 16 Gen-Probe Incorporated,(Nasdaq: GPRO ) anno...th,quarter and full year 2007 financial results on... p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The announcement will be,...ed by Henry L. Nordhoff,chairman, president and ch...ice president, finance, and chief financial office...
Other Biology Technology:Pharmaxis' Aridol Gains First Asian Approval 2Solar energy technology licensed 2Gen-Probe Announces Webcast of Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Earnings Conference Call 2
RNaseOUT Recombinant Ribonuclease Inhibitor from Invitrogen
FastStart High Fidelity PCR System, dNTPack (Not available in US) from Roche Applied Science
Biolase Core Kit from Bioline
...eic acids ,The GC-RICH PCR System, a blend of T...owers through templates that are difficult or impo... blends of polymerases. The enhanced processivity ...ution combine to deliver superior performance esp...
Biology Products: