Subsequent molecular analysis determined that the EN2 ASD-associated haplotype (rs1861972-rs1861973 A-C) functions as a transcriptional activator to increase gene expression.
Previously we demonstrated that an intronic haplotype (rs1861972-rs1861973 A-C) in the homeobox transcription factor ENGRAILED2 (EN2) is significantly associated with ASD.
Here, we have investigated the association of five markers [rs3735653 (C/T) in exon 1; rs34808376 (GC/-) and rs6150410 (CGCATCCCC/-) in promoter region; rs1861972 (A/G) and rs1861973 (C/T) in the intron] of the gene with autism and ASD in Indian population using family-based approach.
Our previous research involving 167 nuclear families from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) demonstrated that two intronic SNPs, rs1861972 and rs1861973, in the homeodomain transcription factor gene ENGRAILED 2 (EN2) are significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
This analysis was then extended to include 167 small nuclear ASD pedigrees and significant association was again only observed for rs1861972 and rs1861973 under both the narrow and broad diagnostic criteria (narrow: rs1861972 P=0.0290, rs1861973 P=0.0073, haplotype P=0.0009; broad: rs1861972 P=0.0175, rs1861973 P=0.0107, haplotype P=0.0024).