Human brain protein associated with autism confers abnormal behavior in fruit flies

(University of Alabama at Birmingham) A mutant gene that encodes a brain protein in a child with autism has been placed into the brains of fruit flies. Fruit flies hosting that gene produce the variant human brain protein and show abnormal behaviors of fear, repetitive activity and altered social interaction, reminiscent of autism impairments. The genetic variant was found in the Simon Simplex Collection, which has collected genetic samples from 2,600 simplex families with autism spectrum disorder.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news