Clinical features of codon 172 RDS macular dystrophy: similar phenotype in 12 families.
OBJECTIVE
To report the phenotype associated with the codon 172 RDS (gene for retinal degeneration slow) mutation in 11 separate families with an arginine-to-tryptophan substitution with common ancestry, and 1 family with an arginine-to-glutamine transition.


METHODS
Screening for RDS gene mutations was performed in 400 subjects with autosomal dominant retinal degeneration. Twelve families were identified with a mutation in codon 172. Haplotype analysis was performed. Full ophthalmic evaluation was performed, including electrophysiologic and psychophysical investigation and imaging of autofluorescence using confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy.


RESULTS
Haplotype analysis demonstrated that the 11 families were ancestrally related. All 12 families showed a common phenotype of macular dysfunction, with the deficit increasing with age. Abnormally high autofluorescence predated loss of visual acuity or visual field changes. Pattern electroretinographic (PERG) findings were affected early in disease. There was high intrafamilial and interfamilial consistency of phenotype.


CONCLUSIONS
These families demonstrate a striking conformity of symptoms and signs.


CONCLUSIONS
In the codon 172 RDS mutation, unlike disease resulting from other RDS mutations, prediction of approximate age of onset and progression of visual deficit is possible. This should assist diagnosis and counseling.
Downes
S M
SM
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England. s.downes@ucl.ac.uk
Fitzke
F W
FW
Holder
G E
GE
Payne
A M
AM
Bessant
D A
DA
Bhattacharya
S S
SS
Bird
A C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003062:Codon / Q000235:genetics*; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004596:Electroretinography; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005453:Fluorescence; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D064531:Peripherins; D010641:Phenotype; D017354:Point Mutation; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D003062:Codon; D005136:Eye Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C578997:PRPH2 protein, human; D064531:Peripherins