Formerly degenerate seventh zinc finger domain from transcription factor ZNF711 rehabilitated by experimental NMR structure

Domain Z7 of nuclear transcription factor ZNF711 has the consensus last metal-ligand H23 found in odd-numbered zinc-fingers of this protein replaced by a phenylalanine. Ever since the discovery of ZNF711 it has been thought that Z7 is probably non-functional because of the H23F substitution. The presence of H26 three positions downstream prompted us to examine if this histidine could substitute as the last metal ligand. The Z7 domain adopts a stable tertiary structure upon metal binding. The NMR structure of Zn2+-bound Z7 shows the classical ββα-fold of CCHH zinc fingers. Mutagenesis and pH titration experiments indicate that H26 is not involved in metal binding and that Z7 has a tridentate metal-binding site comprised of only residues C3, C6, and H19. By contrast, an F23H mutation that introduces a histidine in the consensus position forms a tetradentate ligand. The structure of the WT Z7 is stable causing restricted ring-flipping of phenyalanines 10 and 23. Dynamics are increased with either the H26A or F23H substitutions and aromatic ring rotation is no longer hindered in the two mutants. The mutations have only small effects on the Kd values for Zn2+ and Co2+ and retain the high thermal stability of the WT domain above 80 °C. Like two previously reported designed zinc fingers with the last ligand replaced by water, the WT Z7 domain is catalytically active, hydrolyzing 4-nitophenyl acetate. We discuss the implications of naturally occurring tridentate zinc fingers for cancer mutations and drug targeting of notoriously undruggable transcription factors. Our findings that Z7 can fold with only a subset of three metal ligands suggests the recent view that most everything about protein structure can be predicted through homology modeling might be premature for at least the resilient and versatile zinc-finger motif.

Facial and ocular manifestations of male patients affected by the HUWE1-related intellectual developmental disorder

Turner-type X-linked syndromic intellectual developmental disorder (MRXST) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. MRXST is caused by pathogenic variants in the HUWE1 gene on chromosome Xp11.22. The HUWE1 gene encodes a ubiquitin ligase, which has downstream effects on the n-MYC protein and DLL3 Notch ligand, ultimately affecting neuronal differentiation. In addition to intellectual disability and developmental delay, other clinical features such as absent or delayed speech, skeletal abnormalities, abnormalities in hands or feet, seizures, and hypotonia have been described in case reports. Facial dysmorphic features and eye manifestations have been reported in patients with MRXST, but have not been identified as distinctive to this condition. We report two cases of individuals affected by HUWE1-Related Intellectual Developmental Disorder and present a review of literature of male patients affected by this disorder. Based on the literature review and findings in our two patients, it is our observation that patients with MRXST present with distinctive features, which include broad nasal tip, root, or prominent nose (39%), blepharophimosis (27%), epicanthic folds (25%), ear abnormalities (25%), thin upper lip (23%), and deep set eyes (23%). Furthermore, we note that oculofacial abnormalities are seen more frequently in patients with missense variants than patients with duplications in the HUWE1 gene. The findings noted in this paper may help clinicians suspect a diagnosis of MRXST when presented with these distinctive ocular and facial features.

Parental gonadossomatic mosaicism in HIVEP2-related intellectual disability and impact on genetic counseling-case report

Intellectual development disorder, autosomal dominant 43 (MRD43) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterozygous mutations in the HIVEP2 gene. In this report, we describe a case of a 4-year-old boy with global development delay, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features, in whom the finding of a heterozygous nonsense pathogenic variant in exon 5 of HIVEP2 [c.2827C>T p. (Arg943*)] through WES established a MRD43 diagnosis. Our patient's phenotype overlaps with other MRD43 descriptions in the literature. Unlike previously reported cases, where the condition was almost invariably de novo, the healthy mother in this case presented mosaicism for the pathogenic variant. Thus, the recurrence risk increased significantly from 1% to up to 50%. The description of a variant inherited for MDR43 is singular in the literature and this description highlights the importance of parental studies for accurate genetic counseling, particularly for family planning.

The Quality of Life Supports Model as a Vehicle for Implementing Rights

The Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) is emerging as a new framework that is applicable to people with disabilities in general, but specially to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The aim of this conceptual paper is twofold. Firstly, it aims to show the overlap between the QOLSM and the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), highlighting how the former can be used to address many of the goals and rights embedded in the latter. Secondly, the article seeks to illustrate the connection between these two frameworks and highlight the importance of acknowledging and measuring the rights of people with IDD. Therefore, we posit that the new #Rights4MeToo scale is ideal for: (a) providing accessible means and opportunities for people with IDD to identify and communicate their needs regarding their rights; (b) enhancing the supports and services that families and professionals provide to them; and (c) guiding organizations and policies to identify strengths and needs in relation to rights and quality of life. We also discuss future research needs and summarize the main findings of this article, highlighting its implications for practice and research.

Neuropsychological and behavioural profiles of students with intellectual development disorder on parents and teachers' perceptions

BACKGROUND

Children with intellectual development disorder (IDD) have high rates of comorbid neuropsychological and behavioural problems. However, there are not many studies on this population in middle-income and low-income countries. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of neuropsychological and behavioural problems in students with and without IDD and to assess the correlation between the responses from informants (parents and teachers) and the clinical diagnoses in Brazil.

METHODS

After clinical diagnosis, 78 male and female students (7-15 years old) were divided into two groups: children with IDD (n = 39) and children without IDD (n = 39). The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF) scales were used to track neuropsychological and behavioural problems. Calculations of prevalence ratios were performed using Poisson regression with Wald tests. The CBCL and TRF results were compared between groups with Mann-Whitney U-tests and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. The agreement between scales was assessed using the Spearman correlation test.

RESULTS

Neuropsychological and behavioural problems were significantly more prevalent in students with IDD. The average amount of CBCL problems was significantly higher than that of TRF in the dimensions of thought, attention, somatic, attention deficit/hyperactivity, opposition defiant and total problems. Low-to-moderate correlations between CBCL and TRF dimensions in the IDD group were observed. ROC analyses revealed that the dimensions of internalising problems and total scores reflecting CBCL and TRF problems were the most important factors for identifying neuropsychological and behavioural problems in the IDD group.

CONCLUSIONS

Students with IDD require early identification of behavioural and emotional symptoms to avoid the underdiagnoses of various mental health problems, especially those with internalising characteristics. The CBCL and TRF may assist in the early screening of these comorbidities.

Work-related stress and well-being of direct care workers in intellectual disability services: a scoping review of the literature

Background: Understanding the nature of work-related stress and burnout among intellectual disability care staff is important to protect the well-being of these workers and encourage their retention in the sector. Though reviews of specific aspects of this literature have been conducted no article has sought to fully chart the range and nature of this research. Objective: This article addresses this gap by synthesizing the findings of such research with consideration to the future implications for protecting the well-being of care workers. Methods: A scoping review of the published literature was undertaken using a framework described in a previous article. Results: The findings of this review are presented thematically across six primary categories: challenging behavior; reciprocity; coping and stress; role issues; individual differences; and settings. A seventh theme, namely the positive aspects of intellectual disability care work was also identified through this process and is discussed. Conclusion: Occupational stress and strain is an internationally experienced issue in this sector. Challenging behavior and inequality in the relationships between staff and their clients, their colleagues, and their organization appear to exert a significant impact on the stress and well-being of workers in this sector. Excessive workplace demands, a low level of control, and a lack of support have been shown to be related to higher levels of stress and burnout among intellectual disability care workers.

[Intellectual developmental disability overlapping with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder]

The subject of disabilities that include cognition and adaptability will never cease to be interesting and relevant. The genetic etiology has more weight every day. The relationship with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic importance. The objective was to conduct a review of intellectual development disorder and its implication with ASD and ADHD. From Hippocrates to the present the disorders that affect learning, behavior and socialization skills have been the subject of studies and have varied, above all, in the denomination as an entity and its perception from the human and social point of view. The etiology of intellectual development disorders in most cases is an enigma and genetic advances are the cornerstone to elucidate the origin of this neurodevelopmental disorder, as well as its relationship with others such as ASD and ADHD. The disorder of intellectual development, the oldest one with respect to definition, study and approach, still presents mysteries above all of etiological origin. Its relationship with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD and ADHD is evident by having common areas of involvement, which may be coincident diagnoses.