Affiliations: Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical
Center, Dallas, TX, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Genevieve Konopka, Department of
Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines
Blvd., ND4.300, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA. Tel.: +1 214 648 5135; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease with
complex genetics; however, the genes that are responsible for this disease
still remain mostly unknown. Here, we focus on the FOXP family of transcription
factors as there is emerging evidence strongly linking these genes to ASD and
other genes implicated in ASD. The FOXP family of genes includes three genes
expressed in the central nervous system: FOXP1, FOPX2, and FOXP4. This unique
group of transcription factors has known functions in brain development as well
as the evolution of language. We will also discuss the other genes including
transcriptional targets of FOXP genes that have been found to be associated
with language and may be important in the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we
will review the emerging animal models currently being used to study the
function of the FOXP genes within the context of ASD symptomology. The
combination of gene expression and animal behavior is critical for elucidating
how genes such as the FOXP family members are key players within the framework
of the developing brain.
