FoxP1 is a member of the Forkhead family of transcription factors. FoxP1 has been implicated in many developmental processes including aspects of lung and heart and brain development. Specifically, during post-natal stages, FoxP1 is expressed in Satb2+/Ctip2- cortico-cortical projection neurons of layer III-V, and in Tbr1+ cortico-thalamic projection neurons of layer VI.It is known that FoxP1 has a direct genetic link with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and similar neurodevelopmental disorders causing intellectual impairment, but little is known about its functions in the brain. Therefore the use of animal models to study the role of FoxP1 in ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders is of importance.The host lab generated a conditional cortical FoxP1 knock-out transgenic mouse model (hGFAP-Cre/FoxP1lox/lox )using a human glial fibrillary acid protein (hGFAP)-Cre line and FoxPl floxed mice. Post mortem immunohistochemistry revealed 80-90% fewer FoxP1-immunopositive cells in the cortex of hGFAP-Cre/FoxP1lox/lox mice compared with wild-type mice. hGFAP-Cre/FoxP1lox/lox mice demonstrated significant hyperactivity, attention deficits and social impairments. Microarray analysis of cortical tissue from hGFAP-Cre/FoxP1lox/lox and wild-type mice has been carried out, so this project aims to validate a list of key up and down regulated candidate genes from the microarray.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
