Cntnap2 KO mouse mPFC proteome for ASD

Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder where patients have impaired social behavior and communication, and restricted interests. Although various studies have been carried out to unveil the mechanisms associated with ASD, its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. Genetic variants on CNTNAP2 have been found and considered representative ASD genetic risk factors, and disruption of Cntnap2 causes ASD phenotypes in mice. Here, we performed an integrative multi-omics analysis by combining quantitative proteometabolomics data of Cntnap2 knockout (KO) mice with multi-omics data from ASD patients and forebrain organoids to elucidate Cntnap2-dependent molecular networks of ASD. First, we found Cntnap2-associated molecular signatures and cellular processes by conducting mass spectrometry-based proteometabolomic analysis of the medial prefrontal cortex of the Cntnap2 KO mouse model. Then, we narrowed these identified processes into bona fide ASD molecular processes by incorporating multi-omics data of ASD patients' prefrontal cortex. Further, we mapped cell-type-specific ASD networks by reanalyzing single-cell RNA-seq data of forebrain organoids derived from patients with CNTNAP2 mutation. Finally, we constructed a Cntnap2-associated ASD network model consisting of mitochondrial dysfunction, axonal impairment, and synaptic activity. Our results may shed light on understanding of the Cntnap2-dependent molecular networks of ASD.