UC San Francisco researchers map protein interactions linked to profound autism

Researchers from UC San Francisco have mapped more than one thousand protein interactions linked to certain autism risk genes. Published in the journal Science, this molecular atlas was developed using brain organoids—lab-grown tissues that model the human brain—to investigate how gene mutations contribute to profound autism.

Profound autism is often characterized by severe intellectual disability, nonverbal or minimally verbal communication, and medical conditions such as epilepsy. By mapping the interactions between proteins derived from risk genes, the study aims to bridge the gap between genetic discovery and potential medical treatments. Experts suggest this resource will be vital for future drug development and understanding the biological mechanisms behind the condition.