Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a complex developmental condition with abnormalities in communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviour. It is a heterogeneous phenotype, influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Genes associated with ASD can serve to develop ASD in vitro models, identify ASD specific parameters in cellular neurobiology and medical diagnostics as well as biomarkers for earlier and more accurate detection of ASD. Genes associated with ASD are collected in various internet resources from which ANOS1 gene was extracted using selection criteria defined in the research strategy. The interaction of the anosmin-1 protein with VEGFR2 and its effect on some signalling molecules in the VEGF signalling pathway, has already been demonstrated in the literature. We propose a new association of the ANOS1 gene with the concentration of calcium which was not documented yet. The change in calcium concentration affects the development of the central nervous system, having a possible effect on development of ASD. Based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we designed a model to study the effect of ANOS1 gene on calcium concentration in astrocytes in the VEGF signalling pathway. Based on these results, we plan to develop a transgenic rabbit model.
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