Viral latency in neurons -could this be at fault in autism?

[Guest guest]

Reading up on something called REST/NRSF gene ­ it is expressed in neurons

and its function (or one of its functions) is to make sure that when a

neuron is infected with a herpesvirus that virus remains in the ³silent²

state, i.e. that it does not interfere with neuronal function...

During primary infection of its human host, Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1

(HSV-1) establishes latency in neurons where the viral genome is

maintained.... ... During latency, most viral genes are silenced, although

the molecular mechanisms responsible for this are unclear. We hypothesized

that neuronal factors repress HSV-1 gene expression during latency ... We

predicted that the Repressor Element Silencing Transcription Factor/Neuronal

Restrictive Silencer Factor (REST/NRSF) regulates (viral expression)...

....In summary, we have provided the first direct evidence indicating that

REST/NRSF can regulate HSV-1 IE gene expression. We propose that during the

establishment and maintenance of latent infection, REST/NRSF binds to the

HSV-1 RE-1/NRSE in a chromatin context and recruits CoREST/HDAC complexes.

As a result, the repressor complexes inhibit the ICP4 transcription and

produce long-term repression via histone deacetylation, and possibly

chromatin methylation (Fig. 6). More experiments are underway to investigate

the role of REST/NRSF on HSV-1 gene regulation using neuronal cells and

animal models.

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed & pubmedid=175

55596

REST/NRSF gene is also directly involved in neurogenesis and controls

neuronal gene expression http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/19421.php

Wondering if the function or polymorphisms of this gene have been looked at

in autism, anyone know more? Google didn¹t come up with anything.