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Reduced plasma levels of microtubule-associated STOP/MAP6 protein in autistic patients

Hongen Wei1, Shibang Sun2, Yonghong Li3

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, 29 Shuangta Road, 030012 Taiyuan, China.

Psychiatry Research
|August 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Autism spectrum disorder is linked to lower levels of the stable tubule only polypeptide (STOP) protein. This protein reduction was observed in the brain of an autism mouse model and in the plasma of autistic individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social interaction and communication.
  • Previous studies indicated reduced stable tubule only polypeptide (STOP) protein in the autistic mouse brain.
  • STOP/MAP6 is crucial for microtubule stability, impacting neuronal function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate STOP/MAP6 protein levels in plasma of individuals with autism.
  • To explore the potential role of STOP/MAP6 in autism pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative proteomic profiling was used in a previous study on a BTBR mouse model.
  • Plasma samples from autistic subjects and healthy controls were analyzed.
  • ELISA or Western blotting may have been used for protein quantification (details not in abstract).

Main Results:

  • The concentration of STOP/MAP6 protein was significantly reduced in the plasma of autistic subjects compared to healthy controls.
  • This finding complements previous observations in the BTBR mouse model.

Conclusions:

  • Reduced STOP/MAP6 protein in plasma may serve as a potential biomarker for autism.
  • Altered STOP/MAP6 levels could contribute to the neurobiological underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder.
Keywords:
AutismHypothesisSTOP/MAP6 protein

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