A complex epileptic and dysmorphic phenotype associated with a novel frameshift KDM5B variant and deletion of SCN gene cluster

The histone demethylase family plays a key role in chromatin structure and gene regulation during development. Mutations in the genes encoding the lysine demethylase 5 (KDM5) were reported in individuals with many diseases, including neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability. Recently, KDM5B has been identified as a gene regulator causative of recessive neurodevelopmental disorders. Although numerous variants in this gene have been identified, genotype / phenotype correlation remains variable. We report a patient with two de novo mutations, a frameshift KDM5B variant and a 2q deletion of 8.2 Mb, associated with a phenotype including facial and finger dysmorphisms, severe intellectual and motor disorders, and a rare epileptic syndrome identified as epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures. Comparison with previous reports suggests that the KDM5B variant could play a potential role on dysmorphic features; conversely, the epileptic disorder is mainly caused by the haploinsufficiency of the Nav1 mediated gabaergic inhibition.

Automated summary

The histone demethylase family is important in neurodevelopmental disorders. This study reports a patient with two new mutations associated with dysmorphisms, intellectual and motor disorders, and epilepsy.