Rapid publication: Evidence supporting WNT2 as an autism susceptibility gene

Thomas H. Wassink, Joseph Piven, Veronica J. Vieland, Jian Huang, Ruth E. Swiderski, Jennifer Pietila, Terry Braun, Gretel Beck, Susan E. Folstein, Jonathon L. Haines, Val C. Sheffield

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

178 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We examined WNT2 as a candidate disease gene for autism for the following reasons. First, the WNT family of genes influences the development of numerous organs and systems, including the central nervous system. Second, WNT2 is located in the region of chromosome 7q31-33 linked to autism and is adjacent to a chromosomal breakpoint in an individual with autism. Third, a mouse knockout of Dvl1, a member of a gene family essential for the function of the WNT pathway, exhibits a behavioral phenotype characterized primarily by diminished social interaction. We screened the WNT2 coding sequence for mutations in a large number of autistic probands and found two families containing nonconservative coding sequence variants that segregated with autism in those families. We also identified linkage disequilibrium (LD) between a WNT2 3′UTR SNP and our sample of autism-affected sibling pair (ASP) families and trios. The LD arose almost exclusively from a subgroup of our ASP families defined by the presence of severe language abnormalities and was also found to be associated with the evidence for linkage to 7q from our previously published genomewide linkage screen. Furthermore, expression analysis demonstrated WNT2 expression in the human thalamus. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that rare mutations occur in the WNT2 gene that significantly increase susceptibility to autism even when present in single copies, while a more common WNT2 allele (or alleles) not yet identified may exist that contributes to the disorder to a lesser degree.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)406-413
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics - Neuropsychiatric Genetics
Volume105
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jul 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autism
  • Candidate gene
  • Chromosome 7q
  • Linkage disequilibrium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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