Neuroligin dependence of social behaviour in Caenorhabditis elegans provides a model to investigate an autism-associated gene.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a triad of behavioural impairments including social behaviour. Neuroligin, a trans-synaptic adhesion molecule, has emerged as a penetrant genetic determinant of behavioural traits that signature the neuroatypical behaviours of autism. However, the function of neuroligin in social circuitry and the impact of genetic variation to this gene is not fully understood. Indeed, in animal studies designed to model autism, there remains controversy regarding the role of neuroligin dysfunction in the expression of disrupted social behaviours. The model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans, offers an informative experimental platform to investigate the impact of genetic variants on social behaviour. In a number of paradigms, it has been shown that inter-o

SUBMITTER: Rawsthorne H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8325016 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature