Data from: Genome-wide differential expression of synaptic long non-coding RNAs in autism spectrum disorder

A genome-wide differential expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was
identified in blood specimens of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total
of 3929 lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in ASD
peripheral leukocytes, including 2407 that were upregulated and 1522 that
were downregulated. Simultaneously, 2591 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), including
1789 upregulated and 821 downregulated, were also identified in ASD
leukocytes. Functional pathway analysis of these lncRNAs revealed
neurological pathways of the synaptic vesicle cycling, long-term
depression and long-term potentiation to be primarily involved. Thirteen
synaptic lncRNAs, including nine upregulated and four downregulated, and
19 synaptic mRNAs, including 12 upregulated and seven downregulated, were
identified as being differentially expressed in ASD. Our identification of
differential expression of synaptic lncRNAs and mRNAs suggested that
synaptic vesicle transportation and cycling are important for the delivery
of synaptosomal protein(s) between presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes
in ASD. Finding of 19 lncRNAs, which are the antisense, bi-directional and
intergenic, of HOX genes may lead us to investigate the role of HOX genes
involved in the development of ASD. Discovery of the lncRNAs of SHANK2-AS
and BDNF-AS, the natural antisense of genes SHANK2 and BDNF, respectively,
indicates that in addition to gene mutations, deregulation of lncRNAs on
ASD-causing gene loci presents a new approach for exploring possible
epigenetic mechanisms underlying ASD. Our study also opened a new avenue
for exploring the use of lncRNA(s) as biomarker(s) for the early detection
of ASD.