Cited by 1,851Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Mutations of the X-linked genes encoding neuroligins NLGN3 and NLGN4 are associated with autism

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Paris Autism Research International Sibpair Study, Jamain, Stéphane, Quach, Hélène, Betancur, Catalina, Råstam, Maria, Colineaux, Catherine, Gillberg, I. Carina, Soderstrom, Henrik +4 more·2003·Nature Genetics

Abstract

Many studies have supported a genetic etiology for autism. Here we report mutations in two X-linked genes encoding neuroligins NLGN3 and NLGN4 in siblings with autism-spectrum disorders. These mutations affect cell-adhesion molecules localized at the synapse and suggest that a defect of synaptogenesis may predispose to autism.

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Crossref · 10.1038/ng1136

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  • The contribution of rare, de novo mutations in coding regions of the genome is relatively greater among early-onset disorders than for typically later-onset common conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

    “the contribution of rare, de novo mutations in coding regions of the genome is relatively greater among a range of early-onset disorders 43 -45 than for typically later-onset common conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder”

    From Autism spectrum disorder (2020) · cites this paper as [45]

    The mutation-screening passage (labelled Abstract in our copy; page not supplied) reports a de novo NLGN4 frameshift mutation in the mother of two sons with autism-spectrum disorders. The Fig. 2 passage places the insertion in an exon. The paper does not compare the contribution of such mutations across early-onset disorders with their contribution to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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  • Rare mutations have been identified in synaptic genes NLGN3, NLGN4X, and SHANK3.

    “Rare mutations have been identified in synaptic genes, including NLGN3 , NLGN4X (ref. 4) and SHANK3 (ref. 5)”
  • Y chromosome genes that could contribute to sex bias in neurodevelopmental conditions include NLGN4Y, an autism candidate gene, and SRY, a brain-expressed gene that stimulates male gonadal development and fetal testosterone production.

    “Y chromosome genes that could contribute to sex bias in neurodevelopmental conditions include NLGN4Y, an autism candidate gene246, and SRY247, a brain-expressed gene that stimulates male gonadal development and fetal testosterone production.”

    From Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions (2023) · cites this paper as [246]

  • Shank2, SAPAP2, Neurexin-1, Neuroligin-3 and Neuroligin-4 have been implicated in human ASDs.

    “In addition to Shank39, it is worth noting that Shank26,8, SAPAP26, Neurexin-126, Neuroligin-3 and −427 have all been implicated in human ASDs.”
  • One family had a nonsense NLGN4X p.Q329X mutation in a single affected male child, inherited from an unaffected mother.

    “One of these was a nonsense mutation in NLGN4X (p.Q329X), found in a single affected male child. NLGN4X is an X-linked gene encoding a neuronal synaptic adhesion molecule, and mutations in NLGN4X have been described in individuals with autism, Asperger syndrome, and intellectual disability (Jamain et al., 2003). This mutation was inherited from an unaffected mother, consistent with prior”

    From Using Whole-Exome Sequencing to Identify Inherited Causes of Autism (2013) · cites this paper as Jamain et al., 2003

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Song, J.Y., Ichtchenko, K., Sudhof, T.C. & Brose, N. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96, 1100-1105 (1999).

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Authors
Study, P. A. R. I. S., Jamain, S., Quach, H., Betancur, C., Råstam, M., Colineaux, C., Gillberg, I. C., Soderstrom, H., Giros, B., Leboyer, M., Gillberg, C., & Bourgeron, T.
Affiliations
  • Inserm (FR)
  • University of Gothenburg (SE)
  • St George's Hospital (GB)
Corresponding author
Bourgeron, Thomas
Venue
Nature Genetics
Published
2003-03-31
Volume
34
Issue
1
Pages
27-29
ISSN
  • 1061-4036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1718
OpenAlex
W2125147395
Cited by
1,851
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 79 · 2021: 80 · 2020: 78 · 2019: 55 · 2018: 75 · 2017: 94 · 2016: 82 · 2015: 99 · 2014: 97 · 2013: 114 · 2012: 131
FWCI
30.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion)
  • Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
  • Orange
  • Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, neuroligin-3, neuroligin 4, X-linked mutations, X-linked inheritance, siblings, synaptogenesis, synapses, adhesion molecules, genetic etiology of autism
MeSH terms
Amino Acid Sequence, Autistic Disorder, Base Sequence, Brain, Carrier Proteins, Female, Humans, Genetic Linkage, Male, Membrane Proteins, Molecular Sequence Data, Mutation, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Pedigree, RNA, Messenger, Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal, Sequence Homology, Amino Acid, DNA, Complementary, Gene Expression Profiling, Chromosomes, Human, X

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