Teashirt homolog 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TSHZ3 gene. [5] In mice, it is a necessary part of the neural circuitry that controls breathing. The gene is also a homolog of the Drosophila melanogaster teashirt gene, which encodes a zinc finger transcription factor important for development of the trunk. [6]
Tshz3-knockout mice do not develop the respiratory rhythm generator (RRG) neural circuit, which is a pacemaker that produces an oscillating rhythm in the brainstem and controls autonomous breathing. The RRG neurons are present, but are abnormal. Those mice do not survive because they don't initiate breathing after birth. Tshz3 is being studied for its relationship to infant breathing defects in humans. [7]
TSHZ3 has been identified as a critical region for a syndrome associated with heterozygous deletions at 19q12-q13.11, which includes autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms such autistic traits, speech disturbance and intellectual disability, as well as renal tract abnormalities. Mice with heterozygous Tshz3 deletion (Tshz3lacZ/+) show enrichment of ASD-related gene orthologs in the cerebral cortex, functional alterations of corticostriatal circuitry and ASD-relevant behavioral abnormalities. [8]
Postnatal conditional deletion of Tshz3 in mouse induces behavioral deficits mimicking ASD, as well as abnormalities in synaptic transmission and plasticity in the corticostriatal circuit. These changes are associated to dysregulation of the cortical expression of more than 1000 genes, in particular coding for synaptic components, half of which has human orthologues involved in ASD. [9]
22q13 deletion syndrome, also known as Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS), is a genetic disorder caused by deletions or rearrangements on the q terminal end of chromosome 22. Any abnormal genetic variation in the q13 region that presents with significant manifestations (phenotype) typical of a terminal deletion may be diagnosed as 22q13 deletion syndrome. There is disagreement among researchers as to the exact definition of 22q13 deletion syndrome. The Developmental Synaptopathies Consortium defines PMS as being caused by SHANK3 mutations, a definition that appears to exclude terminal deletions. The requirement to include SHANK3 in the definition is supported by many but not by those who first described 22q13 deletion syndrome.
Egl nine homolog 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EGLN2 gene. ELGN2 is an alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent hydroxylase, a superfamily of non-haem iron-containing proteins.
FK506-binding protein 8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FKBP8 gene.
Neurexin-1-alpha is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NRXN1 gene.
Limb region 1 protein homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LMBR1 gene.
Neuronal cell adhesion molecule is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NRCAM gene.
Protein kinase C-binding protein 1 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ZMYND8 gene.
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 B is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UBE2B gene.
Homeobox protein engrailed-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the EN1 gene.
Vacuolar-sorting protein SNF8 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SNF8 gene.
Calcium-dependent secretion activator 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CADPS2 gene.
Putative Polycomb group protein ASXL1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ASXL1 gene.
Zinc finger protein 346 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZNF346 gene.
Elongation protein 4 homolog , also known as ELP4, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the ELP4 gene.
Zinc finger protein 106 homolog is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZFP106 gene.
Pseudouridylate synthase 7 homolog-like protein is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PUS7L gene.
Protein unc-45 homolog A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UNC45A gene.
Zinc finger protein 76 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ZNF76 gene.
Ubiquinone biosynthesis protein COQ9, mitochondrial, also known as coenzyme Q9 homolog (COQ9), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the COQ9 gene.
Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the TET3 gene.