Epigenetic effect of testosterone in the behavior of C. elegans. A clue to explain androgen-dependent autistic traits?

ABSTRACT: Current research indicates that the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are multifactorial and include both genetic and environmental factors. To date, several works have associated ASDs with mutations in genes that encode proteins involved in neuronal synapses; however other factors and the way they can interact with the development of the nervous system remain largely unknown. Some studies have established a direct relationship between risk for ASDs and the exposure of the fetus to high testosterone levels during the prenatal stage. In this work, in order to explain possible mechanisms by which this androgenic hormone may interact with the nervous system, C. elegans was used as an experimental model. We observed that testosterone was able to alter the behavioral pattern of the wor

SUBMITTER: Gamez-Del-Estal MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3940884 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature