Identification of a de novo missense variant of ARID1B gene in a child with mental retardation

OBJECTIVE To explore the genetic basis for a child with mental retardation. METHODS The child was subjected to next generation sequencing (NGS). Candidate variant was analyzed with bioinformatic software. RESULTS NGS revealed that the child has carried a de novo heterozygous c.4035G>C (p.Gln1345His) variant of the ARID1B gene. The variant was unreported previously and may cause instability of the protein structure. CONCLUSION The de novo missense variant of ARID1B gene may underlie the mental retardation in the child. Above result has enabled genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for her family.