Family-based association study identifies SNAP25 as a susceptibility gene for autism in the Han Chinese population

SNAP-25 Polymorphisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study towards a Possible Endophenotype

While there is substantial agreement on the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder, it is also acknowledged that it has a broad range of clinical presentations. This can complicate the diagnostic process and aggravate the choice of the most suitable rehabilitative strategy for each child. Attentional difficulties are among the most frequently reported comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder. We investigated the role of SNAP-25 polymorphisms. Synaptosome-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) is a presynaptic membrane-binding protein; it plays a crucial role in neurotransmission and has already been studied in numerous psychiatric disorders. It was also seen to be associated with hyperactivity in children with autism spectrum disorder. We collected clinical, behavioral and neuropsychological data on 41 children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and then genotyped them for five single-nucleotide polymorphisms of SNAP-25. Participants were divided into two groups according to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) Severity Score. In the group with the highest severity score, we found significant associations of clinical data with polymorphism rs363050 (A/G): children with the GG genotype had lower total IQ, more severe autistic functioning and more attentional difficulties. Our research could be the starting point for outlining a possible endophenotype among patients with autism spectrum disorder who are clinically characterized by severe autistic functioning and significant attentional difficulties.

The Role of SNAP-25 in Autism Spectrum Disorders Onset Patterns

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can present with different onset and timing of symptom development; children may manifest symptoms early in their first year of life, i.e., early onset (EO-ASD), or may lose already achieved skills during their second year of life, thus showing a regressive-type onset (RO-ASD). It is still controversial whether regression represents a neurobiological subtype of ASD, resulting from distinct genetic and environmental causes. We focused this study on the 25 kD synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP-25) gene involved in both post-synaptic formation and adhesion and considered a key player in the pathogenesis of ASD. To this end, four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the SNAP-25 gene, rs363050, rs363039, rs363043, and rs1051312, already known to be involved in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, were analyzed in a cohort of 69 children with EO-ASD and 58 children with RO-ASD. Both the rs363039 G allele and GG genotype were significantly more frequently carried by patients with EO-ASD than those with RO-ASD and healthy controls (HC). On the contrary, the rs1051312 T allele and TT genotype were more frequent in individuals with RO-ASD than those with EO-ASD and HC. Thus, two different SNAP-25 alleles/genotypes seem to discriminate between EO-ASD and RO-ASD. Notably, rs1051312 is located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the gene and is the target of microRNA (miRNA) regulation, suggesting a possible epigenetic role in the onset of regressive autism. These SNPs, by discriminating two different onset patterns, may represent diagnostic biomarkers of ASD and may provide insight into the different biological mechanisms towards the development of better tailored therapeutic and rehabilitative approaches.

Vesicle trafficking with snares: a perspective for autism

Vesicle-mediated membrane traffic is the mechanism fundamental to many biological events, especially the release of neurotransmitters. The main proteins of the mechanism that mediates membrane fusion in vesicle-mediated membrane traffic are N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) supplemental protein (SNAP) receptor (SNAREs) proteins. SNAREs are classified into vesicle-associated SNAREs (vesicle-SNAREs/v-SNAREs) and target membrane-associated SNAREs (target-SNARE/t-SNAREs). Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by many symptoms, especially complications in social communication and stereotypical behaviours. Defects in synaptogenesis and neurotransmission, oxidative stress, and developmental defects in the early stages of development are defined in the pathogenesis of the disease. SNARE proteins are on the basis of synaptogenesis and neurotransmission. Although the formation mechanisms and underlying causes of the SNARE complex are not fully understood, expression differences, polymorphisms, abnormal expressions or dysfunctions of the proteins that make up the SNARE complex have been associated with many neurodevelopmental diseases, including autism. Further understanding of SNARE mechanisms is crucial both for understanding ASD and for developing new treatments. In this review, the formation mechanisms of the SNARE complex and the roles of various factors involved in this process are explained. In addition, a brief evaluation of clinical and basic studies on the SNARE complex in autism spectrum disorders was made.

Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 Gene Polymorphisms Affect Treatment Efficiency of Methylphenidate in Children With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An fNIRS Study

Methylphenidate (MPH) is the first-line drug for the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, individual curative effects of MPH vary. Many studies have demonstrated that synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) gene MnlI polymorphisms may be related to the efficacy of MPH. However, the association between SNAP-25MnlI polymorphisms and changes in brain hemodynamic responses after MPH treatment is still unclear. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to preliminarily investigate the interaction of MPH treatment-related prefrontal inhibitory functional changes with the genotype status of the SNAP-25 gene in children with ADHD. In total, 38 children with ADHD aged 6.76–12.08 years were enrolled in this study and divided into the following two groups based on SNAP-25 gene MnlI polymorphisms: T/T genotype group (wild-type group, 27 children) and G allele carrier group (mutation group, 11 children). The averaged oxygenated hemoglobin concentration changes [Δavg oxy-Hb] and deoxyhemoglobin concentration changes [Δavg deoxy-Hb] in the frontal cortex before MPH treatment and after 1.5 h (post-MPH1.5h) and 4 weeks (post-MPH4w) of MPH treatments were monitored using fNIRS during the go/no-go task. SNAP-IV scores were evaluated both pre-MPH and post-MPH4w treatments. In the T/T genotype group, [Δavg oxy-Hb] in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was significantly higher after 4 weeks of MPH (post-MPH4W) treatment than pre-treatment; however, in the G allele group, no significant differences in [Δavg oxy-Hb] were observed between pre- and post-treatments. In the go/no-go task, the accuracy was significantly increased post-MPH4w treatment in the T/T genotype group, while no significant differences were observed in response time and accuracy of the “go” sand no-go task in the G allele group for pre-MPH, post-MPH1.5h, and post-MPH4w treatments. The T/T genotype group exhibited a significant decrease in SNAP-IV scores after MPH treatment, while the G allele group showed no significant difference. In conclusion, fNIRS data combined with SNAP-25 MnlI polymorphism analysis may be a useful biomarker for evaluating the effects of MPH in children with ADHD.