Non-Coding RNA Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis relies on behavioral assessments, lacking definitive molecular biomarkers.
• Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate gene expression and are crucial for neuronal development.
• Aberrant ncRNA expression is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of ncRNAs in ASD pathophysiology.
• To investigate ncRNAs as potential molecular biomarkers for ASD.
• To understand ncRNA involvement in ASD-associated gene regulation and neuronal pathways.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies on ncRNA dysregulation in ASD.
• Analysis of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks involving miRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs in ASD.
• Examination of ncRNA regulation of key neuronal receptors (e.g., NMDARs) and ASD-associated genes (e.g., SHANK3, SYNGAP1, CHD8).

Main Results:

• Several miRNAs and lncRNAs are reported to be dysregulated in ASD patient samples (cell lines, tissues, blood).
• ncRNAs participate in complex regulatory networks influencing ASD pathophysiology.
• Dysregulated ncRNAs can affect critical neuronal receptors and ASD-associated genes, highlighting their functional relevance.

Conclusions:

• ncRNAs, particularly miRNAs and lncRNAs, are significantly implicated in ASD.
• These ncRNAs hold potential as novel biomarkers for ASD diagnosis and understanding.
• Further validation in large cohorts and standardization of methodologies are crucial for clinical utility.