Study reveals water's role in rare autism

Published on Saturday 12 July 2008 10:49

SCIENTISTS have discovered that water plays a key role in causing an autism condition affecting one in 100,000 girls.

The insight into the cause of the neurological disorder Rett's syndrome has been uncovered in a study at Edinburgh University.

The autism spectrum disorder is known to be caused by a protein, called Mecp2, which blocks a gene in human DNA and prevents it from functioning.

Researchers discovered that Rett's syndrome is caused by the Mecp2 protein interacting with water trapped around the DNA rather than reacting directly with the DNA itself.

Professor Adrian Bird, who took part in the study, said: "We thought this process involved oily components sticking together, but we didn't expect oily contact to depend on water – because, of course, oil and water don't mix.

"The discovery has enabled us to understand the reasons why the mutated proteins fail to function properly in Rett patients."