BackgroundIntellectual disability (ID) is a complex condition that can impact multiple domains of development. The genetic contribution to ID’s etiology is significant, with more than 100 implicated genes and loci currently identified. The majority of such variants are rare and de novo genetic mutations.MethodsWe have applied whole‐genome microarray to identify large, rare, clinically relevant copy number variants (CNVs). We have applied well‐established algorithms for variants call. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was applied to validate the variants using three technical replicates for each family member. To assess whether the copy number variation was due to balanced translocation or mosaicism, we further conducted droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) on the whole family. We have, as well, applied “critical‐exon” mapping, human developmental brain transcriptome, and a database of known associated neurodevelopmental disorder variants to identify candidate genes.ResultsHere we present two siblings who are both impacted by a large terminal duplication and a deletion. Whole‐genome microarray revealed an 18.82 megabase (MB) duplication at terminal locus (7q34‐q36.3) of chromosome 7 and a 3.90 MB deletion impacting the terminal locus (15q26.3) of chromosome 15. qPCR and ddPCR experiments confirmed the de novo origin of the variants and the co‐occurrence of these two de novo events among the siblings, but their absence in both parents, implicates an unbalanced translocation that could have mal‐segregated among the siblings or a possible germline mosaicism. These terminal events impact IGF1R, CNTNAP2, and DPP6, shown to be strongly associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Detailed clinical examination of the siblings revealed the presence of both shared and distinct phenotypic features.ConclusionsThis study identified two large rare terminal de novo events impacting two siblings. Further phenotypic investigation highlights that even in the presence of identical large high penetrant variants, spectrum of clinical features can be different between the siblings.

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Due to long term impairment, high genetic component (heritability> 90%), lack of effective prevention and treatment, ASD has been prioritized for genetic studies. Studies on Copy Number Variations (CNV) at chromosome 16p11.2 locus have mostly been conducted in population of pure or predominant European ancestry. It is not known whether this is also prevalent among the ASD affected individuals in population of other ancestries such as Bangladeshi population. The aim of this research work is to detect CNV of SEZ6L2 gene at 16p11.2 locus and to describe the associated clinical characteristics in Bangladeshi cohort with clinically diagnosed ASD. Methods: The known SEZ6L2 gene was interrogated for copy number variation (CNV) in twenty five autistic patients with SYBR Green I assay using the real time qPCR. Probands were interrogated using relative standard curve (efficiency correction) method. Epilepsy with speech disorder and postnatal infection might be more common among autistic patients with CNV at this SEZ6L2 gene. Results: The two cases with characteristics CNV was detected who had clinically manifestation of convulsion at different ages, partial developmental delay in multiple domains including delay in walking, speech delay and mental age not corresponding with the chronological age. This work describes the frequency of CNV is 8.3 %. This rate is skewed due to small sample size and do not reflect the true frequency of 16p11.2 duplication impacting SEZ6L2 gene. Conclusion: Epilepsy with speech disorder and postnatal infection might be more common among autistic patients with CNV at this SEZ6L2 gene. Bangladesh J Medicine Jan 2019; 30(1) : 24-29

Background: Copy number variations (CNVs) play a critical role into the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) among children. In this study, we aim to identify clinically relevant CNVs, genes and their phenotypic characteristics in an ethnically underrepresented homogenous population of Bangladesh. Methods: We have conducted genome-wide chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for 212 NDD patients with male to female ratio of 2.2:1.0 to identify rare chromosomal abnormalities (deletion /duplication/ rearrangements). To identify candidate genes within the rare CNVs, multiple gene constraint metrics (i.e. “Critical-Exon Genes (CEGs)”) were applied to the population data. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2) was followed in a subset of 95 NDD patients to assess the severity of autism and all statistical tests were performed using R package. Results: In our cohort, the head circumference of males are significantly greater than females (p=0.0002). Of all samples assayed, 12.26% (26/212) and 47.17% (100/212) patients carried pathogenic and variant of uncertain significance (VOUS) CNVs, respectively. 2.83% (6/212) pathogenic CNVs are located at the subtelomeric regions. Further burden test identified females are significant carriers of pathogenic CNVs in comparison to males (OR=4.2; p=0.0007). ADOS-2 subset show severe social communication deficit (p=0.014) and overall ASD symptoms severity (p=0.026) among the patients carrying duplication CNV compared to the CNV negative group. Candidate gene analysis identified 153 unique CEGs in pathogenic CNVs and 31 in VOUS. Of the unique genes, 18 genes were found to be in smaller (<1 MB) focal CNVs and identified PSMC3 gene as a potential candidate gene for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Moreover, we hypothesized that KMT2B gene duplication might be associated with intellectual disability. Conclusion: Our results show the utility of CMA for precise genetic diagnosis and its integration into the diagnosis therapeutics and management of NDD patients.