Genetic Heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Identification of Five Novel Mutations (RIMS2, FOXG1, AUTS2, ZCCHC17, and SPTBN5) in Iranian Families via Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by abnormal social interactions, verbal communication difficulties, and restricted repetitive behaviors. Identifying the underlying genetic factors is crucial because of the complex genetic and environmental etiology. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES), whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) of four Iranian families with ASD-related conditions to identify novel genomic alterations. Five previously undescribed mutations were identified in these families. Family 1: A homozygous 290.7 kb deletion CNV (chr8:103,652,204-103942926; hg38) encompassing exons 2-16 of RIMS2 (NM_001348484), confirmed in a 7-year-old male proband with developmental delay and cone-rod synaptic disorder. Family 2: A heterozygous nonsense mutation in FOXG1 (NM_005249.5:c.839C > A; p.Ser280Ter) in a 6-year-old female with Rett-like features, resulting in a truncated protein lacking corepressor domains. Family 3: A splice donor site mutation in AUTS2 (NM_015570.4:c.742 + 1G > C) in a 10-year-old female with ASD and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, generating a frameshift and premature stop codon affecting mRNA-binding functionality. Family 4: A heterozygous nonsense mutation in ZCCHC17 (NM_016505.4:c.220C > T; p.Arg74Ter) and a splicing variant in SPTBN5 (NM_016642.4:c.3470 + 2T > A) in two male siblings with ASD were predicted to result in truncated proteins and aberrant splicing. Pathogenicity was supported through in silico analyses and structural modeling using I-TASSER, and segregation was confirmed using Sanger sequencing. This study highlights the genetic diversity of ASD and underscores the importance of advanced sequencing technologies in identifying novel mutations. Our findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the genetic basis of ASD, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies and early diagnosis.