Neurodevelopmental disorders represent a spectrum of diseases, from mild to severe, that affect brain functions and neurological development. Some common examples include autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability. These developmental issues are estimated to affect 15-20% of children, making them a prevalent concern during childhood and adolescence worldwide.

Due to an increasing amount of evidence linking defects in DHX genes to neurodevelopmental disorders, an international team of researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine), Baylor College of Medicine and the German Mouse Clinic collaborated on a study of the pathogenesis of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. The research team comprising the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) members Assistant Professors Linda Gu Shen and Albert Cheung Hoi-hung and other researchers revealed for the first time that pathogenic variants in DHX9 disrupted the gene’s normal function. Further study using cellular and animal models supported the conclusion that defective changes in DHX9 underlie human neurodevelopmental problems. This is the first time that this gene has been associated with a human disease. The findings have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.

DHX9 encodes a helicase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in many cellular processes, including regulating DNA replication and RNA transcription, and maintaining genomic stability. Dysregulation of these processes is involved in disease mechanisms that result in neurodevelopmental disorders. The research team provided a genetic diagnosis to a group of 20 patients with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders ranging from severe to mild, all with pathogenic changes to this gene.

To understand how patient-specific variants of the gene can cause defects, the team conducted cell-based functional studies. Cellular studies demonstrated that pathogenic DHX9 variants could modify the subcellular localisation of its expressed protein, increase genome instability and, in some cases, alter helicase ATPase activity, which are all key functions of the gene.

The related coverage by the Communications and Public Relations Office, CUHK and CU Medicine can be viewed HERE and HERE respectively,

Researchers from the School of Biomedical Sciences include (back row, from left) Assistant Professor Albert Cheung Hoi-hung, Assistant Professor Linda Gu Shen and PhD. Student Ms. Cheryl Chen Wang; (front row, from left) research assistant Ms. Lily Liu Lingxiao and PhD. student Ms. Ava Guo Tianyu