Macular dystrophy associated with mutations at codon 172 in the human retinal degeneration slow gene.
BACKGROUND
Recently, mutations in the retinal degeneration slow (rds) gene which codes for peripherin-rds have been implicated as a cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Because this gene is expressed in both rods and cones, mutations in the rds gene might be expected to cause degeneration affecting either the scotopic or photopic systems. Mutations at codon 172 of the rds gene have been identified in three families with autosomal dominantly inherited, progressive macular dystrophy.


METHODS
Affected individuals underwent ophthalmic examination, scotopic perimetry, dark adaptometry, measurement of color-contrast sensitivity, and electroretinography to characterize the photoreceptor dysfunction.


RESULTS
In all but one affected member, symptoms of progressive central visual loss developed in the third or fourth decade of life accompanied by central scotoma and well-demarcated atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris of the macula. In general, cone and rod thresholds were elevated, and color-contrast sensitivity was absent in the central visual field. Peripherally, the scotopic sensitivities were normal, as was the recovery from bleach. Cone electroretinograms were diminished in amplitude, and delayed in all affected adults except one. Rod electroretinograms were normal or near normal in amplitude, and had normal implicit times. Affected asymptomatic children had macular changes, abnormal color-contrast sensitivity, and reduced pattern and cone electroretinograms.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that mutations in the rds gene can be expressed as a macular dystrophy, with evidence of primary cone dysfunction and preservation of peripheral rod function.
Wroblewski
J J
JJ
Institute of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England.
Wells
J A
JA
Eckstein
A
A
Fitzke
F
F
Jubb
C
C
Keen
T J
TJ
Inglehearn
C
C
Bhattacharya
S
S
Arden
G B
GB
Jay
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000235:genetics; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D004596:Electroretinography; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics; D010375:Pedigree; D064531:Peripherins; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D017354:Point Mutation; D058609:Visual Field Tests
D003062:Codon; D005136:Eye Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; C578994:PRPH protein, human; C578997:PRPH2 protein, human; D064531:Peripherins