It is also a partner of FGF8 [FGF8 is one of FOXP2 as targets (Spiteri et al., 2007)], a protein involved in the regionalization of brain tissues in mammals (Fukuchi-Shimogori and Grove, 2001)], and of SMAD9 [the locus of the gene, AUTS3, is linked to autism (Smith et al., 2002); MAD proteins usually regulate cell proliferation and differentiation (Massague, 1996)]. This evidence concerns the gene FGF8 and autism.