DNA Methylation Signature for JARID2-Neurodevelopmental Syndrome
Eline A. Verberne, Liselot van der Laan, Sadegheh Haghshenas, Kathleen Rooney, Michael A. Levy, Mariëlle Alders, Saskia M. Maas, Sandra Jansen, Agne Liedén, Britt‐Marie Anderlid, Louise Rafael‐Croes, Philippe M. Campeau, Ayeshah Chaudhry, David A. Koolen, Rolph Pfundt, Anna Hurst, Frédéric Tran Mau‐Them, Ange‐Line Bruel, Laëtitia Lambert, Bertrand Isidor, Marcel M. A. M. Mannens, Bekim Sadiković, Peter Henneman, Mieke M. van Haelst
Abstract
JARID2 (Jumonji, AT Rich Interactive Domain 2) pathogenic variants cause a neurodevelopmental syndrome, that is characterized by developmental delay, cognitive impairment, hypotonia, autistic features, behavior abnormalities and dysmorphic facial features. JARID2 encodes a transcriptional repressor protein that regulates the activity of various histone methyltransferase complexes. However, the molecular etiology is not fully understood, and JARID2-neurodevelopmental syndrome may vary in its typical clinical phenotype. In addition, the detection of variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) often results in a delay of final diagnosis which could hamper the appropriate care. In this study we aim to detect a specific and sensitive DNA methylation signature for JARID2-neurodevelopmental syndrome. Peripheral blood DNA methylation profiles from 56 control subjects, 8 patients with (likely) pathogenic JARID2 variants and 3 patients with JARID2 VUSs were analyzed. DNA methylation analysis indicated a clear and robust separation between patients with (likely) pathogenic variants and controls. A binary model capable of classifying patients with the JARID2-neurodevelopmental syndrome was constructed on the basis of the identified episignature. Patients carrying VUSs clustered with the control group. We identified a distinct DNA methylation signature associated with JARID2-neurodevelopmental syndrome, establishing its utility as a biomarker for this syndrome and expanding the EpiSign diagnostic test.