Neuroligin-4, X-linked is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NLGN4Xgene.[3][4]
In the human brain, the synaptic protein NLGN4 is primarily expressed in the cerebral cortex.[5]
This gene encodes a member of the neuroligin family of neuronal cell surface proteins. Neuroligins may act as splice site-specific ligands for beta-neurexins and may be involved in the formation and remodeling of central nervous system synapses. The encoded protein interacts with discs, large (Drosophila) homolog 4 (DLG4). Mutations in this gene have been associated with autism and Asperger syndrome. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been identified for this gene.[4]
Irie M, Hata Y, Takeuchi M, Ichtchenko K, Toyoda A, Hirao K, et al. (September 1997). "Binding of neuroligins to PSD-95". Science. 277 (5331): 1511–5. doi:10.1126/science.277.5331.1511. PMID9278515.
Yan J, Oliveira G, Coutinho A, Yang C, Feng J, Katz C, et al. (April 2005). "Analysis of the neuroligin 3 and 4 genes in autism and other neuropsychiatric patients". Molecular Psychiatry. 10 (4): 329–32. doi:10.1038/sj.mp.4001629. hdl:10400.18/346. PMID15622415. S2CID17530049.
Blasi F, Bacchelli E, Pesaresi G, Carone S, Bailey AJ, Maestrini E (April 2006). "Absence of coding mutations in the X-linked genes neuroligin 3 and neuroligin 4 in individuals with autism from the IMGSAC collection". American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics. 141B (3): 220–1. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30287. PMID16508939. S2CID42297317.
Yamakawa H, Oyama S, Mitsuhashi H, Sasagawa N, Uchino S, Kohsaka S, Ishiura S (March 2007). "Neuroligins 3 and 4X interact with syntrophin-gamma2, and the interactions are affected by autism-related mutations". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 355 (1): 41–6. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.127. PMID17292328.