High prevalence of mutations in peripherin/RDS in autosomal dominant macular dystrophies in a Spanish population.
OBJECTIVE
Mutations in the peripherin/retinal degeneration slow (RDS) gene are a known cause of various types of central retinal dystrophies. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene in Spanish patients with different types of autosomal dominant macular dystrophy.


METHODS
Ophthalmic and electrophysiological examination was performed in patients from 61 unrelated autosomal dominant macular dystrophy (adMD) Spanish families. Screening for mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and direct genomic sequencing was performed in index patients and extended to the family when positive.


RESULTS
We report four novel mutations in peripherin/RDS and a relatively high frequency (23%) of mutations in this gene in families with adMD. Thirteen different mutations were found in fifteen adMD families. Three novel missense, four nonsense and a cis-acting splicing mutation IVS2+2T>C, were found in a Spanish population while five more missense mutations were also reported in other populations. The Arg142Trp and Arg172Trp mutations, present in several populations, were both detected in two independent Spanish families. All the missense mutations produce an amino acid substitution in the second intradiscal loop of the peripherin, while the nonsense mutations presumably generate a truncated protein.


CONCLUSIONS
A high frequency (23%) of mutations in the peripherin/RDS gene was found in a cohort of 61 unrelated patients with various types of autosomal dominant central retinal dystrophies as compared with a low prevalence (1.3%) of mutations in this gene causing retinitis pigmentosa in a Spanish population. Different macular dystrophy phenotypes according to the mutations in peripherin/RDS are shown. However, a limited phenotype variation was observed for these mutations within the family.
Gamundi
María José
MJ
Servicio de Laboratorio, Biología y Genética Molecular Hospital de Terrassa, Ctra. Torrebonica, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
Hernan
Imma
I
Muntanyola
Marta
M
Trujillo
María José
MJ
García-Sandoval
Blanca
B
Ayuso
Carmen
C
Baiget
Montserrat
M
Carballo
Miguel
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001120:Arginine; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D003596:Cytosine; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D007438:Introns; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D064531:Peripherins; D019154:Protein Splicing / Q000235:genetics; D013030:Spain; D013941:Thymine; D014364:Tryptophan
D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C578994:PRPH protein, human; C578997:PRPH2 protein, human; D064531:Peripherins; D014364:Tryptophan; D003596:Cytosine; D001120:Arginine; D013941:Thymine