Implications of Cell Adhesion Molecules in Autism Spectrum Disorder Pathogenesis

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness that leads to repetitive behavior and debilitates social communication. Genetic changes such as susceptible genes and environmental factors promote ASD pathogenesis. Mutations in neuroligins (NLGNs) and neurexin (NRXNs) complex which encode cell adhesion molecules have a significant part in synapses formation, transcription, and excitatory-inhibitory balance. The ASD pathogenesis could partly, at the least, be related to synaptic dysfunction. Here, the NRXNs and NLGNs genes and signaling pathways involved in the synaptic malfunction that causes ASD have been reviewed. Besides, a new insight of NLGNs and NRXNs genes in ASD will be conferred.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; cell adhesion molecules; copy number variants; neurexin; neuroligin.