2p16.3 deletions, involving heterozygous NEUREXIN1 (NRXN1) deletion, dramatically increase the risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and schizophrenia.
At a gene level, CAM genes associated in all three samples (NRXN1 and CNTNAP2), which were previously implicated in specific language disorder, autism and schizophrenia.
Deletions and point mutations in the neurexin 1 (NRXN1) gene are associated with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, intellectual disability, epilepsy, developmental delay, and schizophrenia.
Deletions at 2p16.3 involving exons of NRXN1 are associated with susceptibility for autism and schizophrenia, and similar deletions have been identified in individuals with developmental delay and dysmorphic features.
Here, we identified deletions of the NRXN1 region in affected cohorts, confirming a strong association with the autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Heterozygous mutations of the NRXN1 gene, which encodes the presynaptic cell-adhesion molecule neurexin-1, were repeatedly associated with autism and schizophrenia.
Interestingly, there was a statistically significant association of neurexin-1 SNP P300P (rs2303298) with risk of autism (26.2% vs. 13.8%; χ(2) = 22.487; p = 3.45E-006; OR = 2.152 (1.559-2.970)).
Mutations in neurexin 1 (NRXN1) as well as two other members of the neuroligin family, NLGN3 and NLGN4, have been associated with autism and mutations in NLGN4 have also been associated with intellectual disability, seizures, and EEG abnormalities.
Previous analyses of neurexin 1α (Nrxn1α) knockout (KO) mouse as a model of these disorders have revealed impairments in synaptic transmission but failed to reveal defects in social behaviour, one of the core symptoms of autism.
Single cell analysis of autism patient with bi-allelic NRXN1-alpha deletion reveals skewed fate choice in neural progenitors and impaired neuronal functionality.