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. 2024 Nov 30;16(11):e74810.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.74810. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Investigation of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 Gene Expressions in Autism Spectrum Disorders

E Merve Kalınlı  1 , Etem Akbas  2 , Duygu Yolal Ertural  3 , Serkan Gunes  4
Affiliations

Investigation of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 Gene Expressions in Autism Spectrum Disorders

E Merve Kalınlı et al. Cureus. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Objective: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that emerges in early childhood and is characterized by difficulties in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. The Ras homolog (Rho)/Rho-kinase signaling pathway plays a critical role in maintaining synaptic structure and function, as it regulates the actin cytoskeleton. This study aims to investigate the expression of the Ras homolog (Rho) family member A (RhoA), Rho-kinase 1 (ROCK1), and Rho-kinase 2 (ROCK2) genes within this pathway in relation to ASD.

Methods: The study included 82 individuals diagnosed with ASD from the Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital's Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and 82 healthy individuals without a family history of ASD, matched for gender and age. RNA isolation and complementary DNA (cDNA) extraction for RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 genes were performed from blood samples of the patient and control groups. The RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 gene expression levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the comparative CT (ΔΔCT) method.

Results: Of the 82 individuals in the ASD group, 54 (65.9%) were male, and 28 (34.1%) were female, with a mean age of 7.74 ± 4.35 years. ASD is more common in males (p < 0.001). RhoA gene expression level is lower in patients with ASD (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway genes, including RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2, play roles in the neurodevelopmental processes. The lower expression level of RhoA in the ASD group may suggest that these genes could serve as potential biomarkers for the disorder. Further research is needed to explore these genetic markers' roles and their potential as therapeutic targets in ASD treatment.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; rho/rho-kinase signaling pathway; rhoa; rock1; rock2.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University Mersin Faculty of Medicine (Mersin, Turkey) issued approval 2020/106. The research protocol of the study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University Mersin Faculty of Medicine (Mersin, Turkey) with the project code: 2020/106 and was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors declared that they received financial support from Mersin University Scientific Research Projects Unit for the submitted work. . Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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