Bridging Genotype to Phenotype in KMT5B-Related Syndrome: Evidence from RNA-Seq, 18FDG-PET, Clinical Deep Phenotyping in Two New Cases, and a Literature Review.

Background

Autosomal dominant intellectual developmental disorder 51 (MIM #617788) is caused by pathogenic variants in KMT5B, a histone methyltransferase essential for transcriptional repression and central nervous system development. The disorder manifests as a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome with variable neurological and systemic features.

Methods

Two adolescents with nonsense KMT5B variants underwent detailed clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging evaluations, including MRI and 18FDG PET/CT, analyzed with Statistical Parametric Mapping against matched controls. RNA sequencing was performed, and the literature was reviewed to assess genotype-phenotype correlations.

Results

Both patients showed global developmental delay, progressing to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD), without intellectual disability (ID). The MRI was normal, but neuropsychological testing revealed executive function impairment, expressive language deficits, and behavioral disturbances. PET/CT consistently demonstrated cerebellar and temporal lobe hypometabolism, correlating with symptom severity. RNA sequencing identified shared dysregulated pathways, notably DDIT4 upregulation, linked to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal atrophy in animal models.

Conclusions

The findings highlight cerebellar involvement in DCD and ASD, medial temporal lobe contribution to ASD and executive dysfunction, and DDIT4 as a possible molecular signature of KMT5B loss-of-function. An integrative multimodal approach refined genotype-phenotype correlations and revealed novel brain regions and pathways implicated in KMT5B-related disorders.