The clinical and molecular spectrum of the KDM6B-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

De novo variants are a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but because every monogenic NDD is different and usually extremely rare, it remains a major challenge to understand the complete phenotype and genotype spectrum of any morbid gene. According to OMIM, heterozygous variants in KDM6B cause "neurodevelopmental disorder with coarse facies and mild distal skeletal abnormalities." Here, by examining the molecular and clinical spectrum of 85 reported individuals with mostly de novo (likely) pathogenic KDM6B variants, we demonstrate that this description is inaccurate and potentially misleading. Cognitive deficits are seen consistently in all individuals, but the overall phenotype is highly variable. Notably, coarse facies and distal skeletal anomalies, as defined by OMIM, are rare in this expanded cohort while other features are unexpectedly common (e.g., hypotonia, psychosis, etc.). Using 3D protein structure analysis and an innovative dual Drosophila gain-of-function assay, we demonstrated a disruptive effect of 11 missense/in-frame indels located in or near the enzymatic JmJC or Zn-containing domain of KDM6B. Consistent with the role of KDM6B in human cognition, we demonstrated a role for the Drosophila KDM6B ortholog in memory and behavior. Taken together, we accurately define the broad clinical spectrum of the KDM6B-related NDD, introduce an innovative functional testing paradigm for the assessment of KDM6B variants, and demonstrate a conserved role for KDM6B in cognition and behavior. Our study demonstrates the critical importance of international collaboration, sharing of clinical data, and rigorous functional analysis of genetic variants to ensure correct disease diagnosis for rare disorders.

Genetic counseling in diabetes mellitus: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by hyperglycemia and its consequences, affecting over 34 million individuals in the United States and 422 million worldwide. While most diabetes is polygenic and is classified as type 1 (T1D), type 2 (T2D), or gestational diabetes (GDM), at least 0.4% of all diabetes is monogenic in nature. Correct diagnosis of monogenic diabetes has important implications for glycemic management and genetic counseling. We provide this Practice Resource to familiarize the genetic counseling community with (1) the existence of monogenic diabetes, (2) how it differs from more common polygenic/complex diabetes types, (3) the advantage of a correct diagnosis, and (4) guidance for identifying, counseling, and testing patients and families with suspected monogenic diabetes. This document is intended for genetic counselors and other healthcare professionals providing clinical services in any setting, with the goal of maximizing the likelihood of a correct diagnosis of monogenic diabetes and access to related care.

A clustering of heterozygous missense variants in the crucial chromatin modifier WDR5 defines a new neurodevelopmental disorder.

WDR5 is a broadly studied, highly conserved key protein involved in a wide array of biological functions. Among these functions, WDR5 is a part of several protein complexes that affect gene regulation via post-translational modification of histones. We collected data from 11 unrelated individuals with six different rare de novo germline missense variants in WDR5; one identical variant was found in five individuals and another variant in two individuals. All individuals had neurodevelopmental disorders including speech/language delays (n = 11), intellectual disability (n = 9), epilepsy (n = 7), and autism spectrum disorder (n = 4). Additional phenotypic features included abnormal growth parameters (n = 7), heart anomalies (n = 2), and hearing loss (n = 2). Three-dimensional protein structures indicate that all the residues affected by these variants are located at the surface of one side of the WDR5 protein. It is predicted that five out of the six amino acid substitutions disrupt interactions of WDR5 with RbBP5 and/or KMT2A/C, as part of the COMPASS (complex proteins associated with Set1) family complexes. Our experimental approaches in Drosophila melanogaster and human cell lines show normal protein expression, localization, and protein-protein interactions for all tested variants. These results, together with the clustering of variants in a specific region of WDR5 and the absence of truncating variants so far, suggest that dominant-negative or gain-of-function mechanisms might be at play. All in all, we define a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with missense variants in WDR5 and a broad range of features. This finding highlights the important role of genes encoding COMPASS family proteins in neurodevelopmental disorders.