De novoSMARCA2variants clustered outside the helicase domain cause a new recognizable syndrome with intellectual disability and blepharophimosis distinct from Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome

Purpose Nontruncating variants inSMARCA2, encoding a catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, cause Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS), a condition with intellectual disability and multiple congenital anomalies. Other disorders due toSMARCA2are unknown. Methods By next-generation sequencing, we identified candidate variants inSMARCA2in 20 individuals from 18 families with a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder not consistent with NCBRS. To stratify variant interpretation, we functionally analyzedSMARCA2variants in yeasts and performed transcriptomic and genome methylation analyses on blood leukocytes. Results Of 20 individuals, 14 showed a recognizable phenotype with recurrent features including epicanthal folds, blepharophimosis, and downturned nasal tip along with variable degree of intellectual disability (or blepharophimosis intellectual disability syndrome [BIS]). In contrast to most NCBRS variants, allSMARCA2variants associated with BIS are localized outside the helicase domains. Yeast phenotype assays differentiated NCBRS from non-NCBRSSMARCA2variants. Transcriptomic and DNA methylation signatures differentiated NCBRS from BIS and those with nonspecific phenotype. In the remaining six individuals with nonspecific dysmorphic features, clinical and molecular data did not permit variant reclassification. Conclusion We identified a novel recognizable syndrome named BIS associated with clustered de novoSMARCA2variants outside the helicase domains, phenotypically and molecularly distinct from NCBRS.