Relevance to Autism

Brattleboro rats, which have a spontaneous mutation disrupting the AVP gene, were shown to display a natural deficit in social discrimination that could be reversed by treatment with clozapine or a neurotensin analog (Feifel et al., 2009). One of the receptors for arginine vasopressin is the protein encoded by the ASD-associated gene AVPR1.

Molecular Function

This gene encodes a member of the vasopressin/oxytocin family and preproprotein that is proteolytically processed to generate multiple protein products, including the neuropeptide hormone arginine vasopressin. Arginine vasopressin plays a role in many biological processes, including cognition, tolerance, adaptation and complex sexual and maternal behaviour.

External Links

References