Simons Variation in Individuals Project (Simons VIP): a genetics-first approach to studying autism spectrum and related neurodevelopmental disorders

We describe a project aimed at studying a large number of individuals (>200) with specific recurrent genetic variations (deletion or duplication of segment 16p11.2) that increase the risk of developing autism spectrum (ASD) and other developmental disorders. The genetics-first approach augmented by web-based recruitment, multisite collaboration and calibration, and robust data-sharing policies could be adopted by other groups studying neuropsychiatric disorders to accelerate the pace of research.     

Wolbachia: master manipulators of invertebrate biology

Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that are found in arthropods and nematodes. These alphaproteobacteria endosymbionts are transmitted vertically through host eggs and alter host biology in diverse ways, including the induction of reproductive manipulations, such as feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing and sperm-egg incompatibility. They can also move horizontally across species boundaries, resulting in a widespread and global distribution in diverse invertebrate hosts. Here, we review the basic biology of Wolbachia, with emphasis on recent advances in our understanding of these fascinating endosymbionts.     

Macromolecular complexes: SMN--the master assembler.

Recent studies indicate that the protein affected in spinal muscular atrophy, SMN, plays a role in the assembly of a number of macromolecular complexes that function in the nucleus, interacting with its partner proteins via their arginine- and glycine-rich domains.     

Spectraplakins: master orchestrators of cytoskeletal dynamics

The dynamics of different cytoskeletal networks are coordinated to bring about many fundamental cellular processes, from neuronal pathfinding to cell division. Increasing evidence points to the importance of spectraplakins in integrating cytoskeletal networks. Spectraplakins are evolutionarily conserved giant cytoskeletal cross-linkers, which belong to the spectrin superfamily. Their genes consist of multiple promoters and many exons, yielding a vast array of differential splice forms with distinct functions. Spectraplakins are also unique in their ability to associate with all three elements of the cytoskeleton: F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Recent studies have begun to unveil their role in a wide range of processes, from cell migration to tissue integrity.     

The Simons Simplex Collection: a resource for identification of autism genetic risk factors

In an effort to identify de novo genetic variants that contribute to the overall risk of autism, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) has gathered a unique sample called the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC). More than 2000 families have been evaluated to date. On average, probands in the current sample exhibit moderate to severe autistic symptoms with relatively little intellectual disability. An interactive database has been created to facilitate correlations between clinical, genetic, and neurobiological data.