Discovery of a DNA methylation episignature as a molecular biomarker for fetal alcohol syndrome

Abstract

DNA methylation; Episignature; Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Metilació de l'ADN; Episignatura; Trastorn de l'espectre alcohòlic fetal

Metilación del ADN; Episignatura; Trastorno del espectro alcohólico fetal

Purpose Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of clinical features and neurodevelopmental disorders in children exposed to alcohol in utero. Despite its global public health significance, FASD diagnosis remains challenging because of nonspecific clinical findings and the lack of an accurate molecular diagnostic biomarker. This study aimed to evaluate peripheral blood DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles as a potential diagnostic biomarker for fetal alcohol syndrome. Methods Genomic DNAm profiles from 93 individuals with suspected or confirmed FAS, including a clinically diagnosed FAS subgroup, were analyzed and compared with a large database of control and patient cohorts with previously reported DNAm episignatures. Functional analysis of these DNAm profiles was performed to identify episignatures and assess their potential diagnostic utility. Results A relatively sensitive and specific DNAm episignature for FAS was identified. Comparative epigenomic analysis revealed functional correlations between FAS and other rare genetic disorders, supporting the robustness of the identified DNAm profiles as a diagnostic tool. Conclusion This study demonstrates that unique DNAm profiles provide a robust episignature biomarker for FAS. These findings contribute to the molecular understanding of FAS and hold promise for improving diagnostic accuracy for this complex disorder.

Funding for this study is provided in part by the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI-188).