DDX53 gene linked to autism spectrum disorder

Researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada and the Istituto Giannina Gaslini in Italy have identified a previously unknown genetic link to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing new insights into the genetic underpinnings of the condition.

ASD, which affects more males than females, encompasses a group of neurodevelopmental conditions that result in challenges related to communication, social understanding and behaviour. While the gene known as DDX53, located on the X chromosome, is known to play a role in brain development and function, it was not previously definitively associated with autism.

In a study published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers clinically tested 10 individuals with ASD from eight different families and found that variants in the DDX53 gene were maternally inherited and present in these individuals. Notably, the majority were male, highlighting the gene’s potential role in the male predominance observed in ASD.

“By pinpointing DDX53 as a key player, particularly in males, we can better understand the biological mechanisms at play and improve diagnostic accuracy for individuals and their families,” said senior author Dr Stephen Scherer, Senior Scientist, Genetics & Genome Biology and Chief of Research at SickKids.

The study cohort was assembled through an international collaborative effort, involving several renowned clinical and research institutions from Canada, Italy and the US. Further analysis of large autism research databases identified 26 more individuals with ASD who had similar rare DDX53 variants to the study participants.

“Our findings support a direct link between DDX53 and autism, which is not only crucial for future clinical genetic testing, but its discovery suggests that the pathway it affects is related to the behavioural traits of autism, opening a whole new area of exploration,” said lead author Dr Marcello Scala, a researcher at the Istituto Giannina Gaslini.

At the same location on the X chromosome, the researchers found evidence that another gene, PTCHD1-AS, might be involved in autism. The study highlights a case where a boy and his mother, both with autism with little support needs, had a specific gene deletion involving the DDX53 gene and parts of PTCHD1-AS.

Indeed, a second study identified 59 genetic variants on the X chromosome significantly associated with ASD. The variants were found in genes linked to autism, including PTCHD1-AS, DMD, HDAC8, PCDH11X and PCDH19 beside novel ASD-linked candidates ASB11 and ASB9. Additionally, the FGF13 gene was highlighted as being related to ASD, with sex-specific differences, adding more evidence to the role of sex chromosomes in the condition.

“These findings provide new insights into the biology of the X chromosome in ASD, providing additional evidence for the involvement of certain genes like DDX53 and FGF13, and suggesting they should be investigated further,” Scherer said.

The team noted that the absence of a similar gene like DDX53 in commonly used mouse models may require future researchers to reconsider how they study ASD. Since it lacks a functional equivalent in these models, findings in DDX53 cannot be easily replicated.

“Insights from this study could significantly influence the design and interpretation of autism research, particularly in developing new models,” Scherer said. “Identifying these variants is an important step towards developing more precise diagnostics and therapeutics for patients and families with ASD.”

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