title: Alterations of prolyl endopeptidase activity in the plasma of children with autistic spectrum disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prolyl Endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26), a cytosolic endopeptidase, hydrolyses peptide bonds on the carboxyl side of proline residue in proteins with a relatively small molecular weight. It has been shown that altered PEP activity is associated with various psychological diseases such as schizophrenia, mania and depression. Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neuropsychiatric and behavioural syndromes affecting social behaviours and communication development. They are classified as developmental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that PEP activity is also associated with ASDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fluorometric assay was used to measure PEP activity in EDTA plasma in children with ASD (n = 18) aged 4-12 years (mean +/- SD: 7.9 +/- 2.5). These results were then compared to PEP activity in a control group of non-ASD children (n = 15) aged 2-10 years (mean +/- SD: 6.4 +/- 2.2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An alteration in PEP activity was found in the children with ASD compared to the control group. There was much greater variation of PEP activity in the group of ASD children when compared to the controls (SD= 39.9 and SD 9.6, respectively). This variation was significant (p < 0.0005), although the mean level of PEP activity in the group of ASD children was slightly higher than in the control group (124.4 and 134.1, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our preliminary finding suggests a role for PEP enzyme in the pathophysiology of autism but further research should be conducted to establish its role in the aetiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders, including autism and related spectrum disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Autism Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. naghi.momeni@spray.se
authors.forename: Naghi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Momeni
authors.forename: Berit M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Nordström
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Horstmann
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Avarseji
authors.forename: Bengt V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Sivberg
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D000085822:Prolyl Oligopeptidases; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; C000705287:PREPL protein, human; D000085822:Prolyl Oligopeptidases