title: Progressive cone and cone-rod dystrophies: phenotypes and underlying molecular genetic basis.
abstract: The cone and cone-rod dystrophies form part of a heterogeneous group of retinal disorders that are an important cause of visual impairment in children and adults. There have been considerable advances made in recent years in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these retinal dystrophies, with many of the chromosomal loci and causative genes having now been identified. Mutations in 12 genes, including GUCA1A, peripherin/RDS, ABCA4 and RPGR, have been described to date; and in many cases detailed functional assessment of the effects of the encoded mutant proteins has been undertaken. This improved knowledge of disease mechanisms has raised the possibility of future treatments for these disorders, for which there are no specific therapies available at the present time.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michaelides
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hardcastle
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Anthony T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D017948:Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D004247:DNA