Retinoic acid supplementation ameliorates motor incoordination via RARα-CBLN2 in the cerebellum of a prenatal valproic acid-exposed rat autism model

The "Ins and Outs and What-Abouts" of H2A.Z: A tribute to C. David Allis

In 2023, the brilliant chromatin biologist C. David Allis passed away leaving a large void in the scientific community and broken hearts in his family and friends. With this review, we want to tribute Dave's enduring inspiration by focusing on the histone variant H2A.Z, a nucleosome component he was the first to discover as hv1 in Tetrahymena. We summarize the latest findings from the past 5 years regarding the mammalian H2A.Z histone, focusing on its deposition and eviction mechanisms, its roles in transcriptional regulation, DNA damage repair, chromatin structure organization, and embryonic development, as well as how its deregulation or mutation(s) of its histone chaperones contribute to disease development. As Dave liked to say 'Every amino acid matters'; the discovery and characterization of functionally different H2A.Z's isoforms, which vary only in three amino acids, prove him-once again-right.

Association of the retinol to all-trans retinoic acid pathway with autism spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Research has highlighted a close association between the retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway and ASD. This study investigates alterations in the vitamin A (VA, retinol) to RA metabolic pathway in children with ASD and speculates on the underlying reasons for these changes. We propose a subtype characterized by downregulated RA signaling in ASD, laying the groundwork for precise diagnosis and treatment research.

METHODS

We included 489 children with ASD and 280 typically developing (TD) children. Those with ASD underwent evaluations of core symptoms and neuro-developmental levels, which were conducted by professional developmental behavior physicians using assessment scales. Serum VA and all-trans RA (atRA) levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The expression levels and concentrations of enzyme molecules such as retinol dehydrogenase 10 were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Children with ASD exhibited reduced serum atRA, accompanied by a downregulation of atRA synthesis enzymes. The reduction in serum atRA levels was linked not only to VA levels but also to the aberrant expression of metabolic enzymes responsible for atRA. Furthermore, the serum atRA levels in children with ASD were more strongly correlated with core symptoms and neurodevelopmental levels than VA levels.

CONCLUSION

Children with ASD exhibited a dual regulation of reduced serum atRA levels, influenced by both VA levels and abnormal expression of atRA metabolic enzymes.

Effect of Yoga Intervention on Problem Behavior and Motor Coordination in Children with Autism

Children with autism exhibit more pronounced symptoms of both problem behaviors and motor coordination difficulties. Yoga, recognized as an effective intervention modality, can be valuable after assessing its efficacy in addressing problem behaviors and motor coordination challenges, ultimately contributing to symptom alleviation in autism. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) was used to divide 17 children with autism into an intervention group (n = 9) and a control group (n = 8). The intervention group participated in an 8-week yoga intervention training (three sessions/week, 45-50 min/session), and the control group did not participate in yoga training but only in daily program activities. Pre-test, mid-test, post-test, and after delayed test, teachers assessed the effect of yoga intervention on problem behaviors of children with autism through the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the effect of yoga intervention on motor coordination through the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC2). Results show that the yoga intervention is effective in reducing problem behaviors and improving motor coordination in children with autism. Yoga intervention significantly reduces irritability and social withdrawal in children with autism. Yoga intervention had the most significant improvement in ball skills and static and dynamic balance.