Genetic evidence implicating multiple genes in the MET receptor tyrosine kinase pathway in autism spectrum disorder.

ABSTRACT: A functional promoter variant of the gene encoding the MET receptor tyrosine kinase alters SP1 and SUB1 transcription factor binding, and is associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent analyses of postmortem cerebral cortex from ASD patients revealed altered expression of MET protein and three transcripts encoding proteins that regulate MET signaling, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (PLAUR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (SERPINE1). To address potential risk conferred by multiple genes in the MET signaling pathway, we screened all exons and 5' promoter regions for variants in the five genes encoding proteins that regulate MET expression and activity. Identified variants were genotyped in 664 families (2,712 individuals including 1,

SUBMITTER: Campbell DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2678909 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature