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Alterations of prolyl endopeptidase activity in the plasma of children with autistic spectrum disorders

Momeni, Naghi LU ; Nordström, Berit LU ; Horstmann, Vibeke LU ; Avarseji, Hassan and Sivberg, Bengt LU (2005) In BMC Psychiatry 5(27).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of proline residue in proteins with a relatively small molecular weight. It has been shown that altered PEP activity is associated with various psychological diseases such as schizophrenia, mania and depression. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neuropsychiatric and behavioural syndromes affecting social behaviours and communication development. They are classified as developmental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that PEP activity is also associated with ASDs. METHODS: Fluorometric assay was used to measure PEP activity in EDTA plasma in children with ASD (n = 18) aged 4-12 years... (More)
BACKGROUND: Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of proline residue in proteins with a relatively small molecular weight. It has been shown that altered PEP activity is associated with various psychological diseases such as schizophrenia, mania and depression. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neuropsychiatric and behavioural syndromes affecting social behaviours and communication development. They are classified as developmental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that PEP activity is also associated with ASDs. METHODS: Fluorometric assay was used to measure PEP activity in EDTA plasma in children with ASD (n = 18) aged 4-12 years (mean +/- SD: 7.9 +/- 2.5). These results were then compared to PEP activity in a control group of non-ASD children (n = 15) aged 2-10 years (mean +/- SD: 6.4 +/- 2.2). RESULTS: An alteration in PEP activity was found in the children with ASD compared to the control group. There was much greater variation of PEP activity in the group of ASD children when compared to the controls (SD= 39.9 and SD 9.6, respectively). This variation was significant (p < 0.0005), although the mean level of PEP activity in the group of ASD children was slightly higher than in the control group (124.4 and 134.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary finding suggests a role for PEP enzyme in the pathophysiology of autism but further research should be conducted to establish its role in the aetiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and related spectrum disorders. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMC Psychiatry
volume
5
issue
27
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • pmid:15932649
  • wos:000208280200027
  • scopus:26844446467
ISSN
1471-244X
DOI
10.1186/1471-244X-5-27
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Department of Health Sciences (013220000), Division of Occupational Therapy (Closed 2012) (013025000)
id
fd5fcda7-7589-4587-8b1e-a64e298a335c (old id 1132138)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:38:59
date last changed
2022-01-28 06:22:06
@article{fd5fcda7-7589-4587-8b1e-a64e298a335c,
  abstract     = {{BACKGROUND: Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of proline residue in proteins with a relatively small molecular weight. It has been shown that altered PEP activity is associated with various psychological diseases such as schizophrenia, mania and depression. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neuropsychiatric and behavioural syndromes affecting social behaviours and communication development. They are classified as developmental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that PEP activity is also associated with ASDs. METHODS: Fluorometric assay was used to measure PEP activity in EDTA plasma in children with ASD (n = 18) aged 4-12 years (mean +/- SD: 7.9 +/- 2.5). These results were then compared to PEP activity in a control group of non-ASD children (n = 15) aged 2-10 years (mean +/- SD: 6.4 +/- 2.2). RESULTS: An alteration in PEP activity was found in the children with ASD compared to the control group. There was much greater variation of PEP activity in the group of ASD children when compared to the controls (SD= 39.9 and SD 9.6, respectively). This variation was significant (p &lt; 0.0005), although the mean level of PEP activity in the group of ASD children was slightly higher than in the control group (124.4 and 134.1, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary finding suggests a role for PEP enzyme in the pathophysiology of autism but further research should be conducted to establish its role in the aetiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and related spectrum disorders.}},
  author       = {{Momeni, Naghi and Nordström, Berit and Horstmann, Vibeke and Avarseji, Hassan and Sivberg, Bengt}},
  issn         = {{1471-244X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{27}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{BMC Psychiatry}},
  title        = {{Alterations of prolyl endopeptidase activity in the plasma of children with autistic spectrum disorders}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-5-27}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/1471-244X-5-27}},
  volume       = {{5}},
  year         = {{2005}},
}