Journal Article

Novel ANKRD17 variants implicate synaptic and mitochondrial disruptions in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder

Zhang, Jieming, Liang, Liyang, Wang, Dilong, Li, Xiaojuan, Meng, Zhe, Liu, Zulin, Chen, Rui, Xiao, Xiaoqin, Deng, Kewen, Deng, Shuyun, Xu, Yuanyuan, Chen, Hui, Wu, Ruohao, Li, Lu, Xia, Dan, Zhang, Lina, Peng, Xiaofang, He, Zhanwen

2025

Overview

ANKRD17 has recently been implicated in intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Using trio whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES) and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), we identified two unrelated cases with novel de novo heterozygous ANKRD17 variants. Case 1 describes a fetus with multiple congenital anomalies, where genetic analysis revealed a microdeletion at 4q13.3 truncating the ANKRD17 gene. Case 2 involves a 12-year-old male presenting with mild ID and progressive social impairments, associated with a NM_032217.5: c.1252 C > T (p.Arg418*) variation in ANKRD17 . Our study highlighted in mouse models an association between Ankrd17 haploinsufficiency and deficits in social behavior, spatial learning and memory, as well as elevated anxiety. Furthermore, our studies suggest dysregulation of synaptic proteins and mitochondrial function, along with impaired neural circuits following Ankrd17 knockdown. These results expand the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of ANKRD17 -related disorders, underscore the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of ANKRD17 -related ID and ASD.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Animal models / ANKRD17 haploinsufficiency / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Autism Spectrum Disorder - genetics / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Cell cycle / Child / Congenital defects / Disability / DNA microarrays / Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid / Fetuses / Genetic analysis / Genetic disorders / Genomes / Haploinsufficiency / Human Genetics / Humans / Intellectual disabilities / Intellectual Disability (ID) / Intellectual Disability - genetics / Male / Medical research / Mitochondria / Mitochondria - genetics / Mitochondria - metabolism / Mitochondrial inhibition / Molecular modelling / Neural circuitry / Neural networks / Neurology / Neuropsychology / Neurosciences / Pediatrics / Proteins / Psychiatry / Signal transduction / Social aspects / Social behavior / Social discrimination learning / Spatial discrimination learning / Spatial memory / Synapses / Synaptic protein abnormalities / Whole genome sequencing