Increased Plasma cGMP in a Family With Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to Homozygous Mutations in the PDE6A Gene.
OBJECTIVE
To describe genotype and phenotype in a family with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) carrying homozygous mutations in the gene for the α-subunit of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6A). Moreover, to compare their plasma cGMP levels to controls, exploring the possible role for cGMP in RP diagnostics.


METHODS
Seven siblings and their parents were recruited. Microarray, verified by Sanger sequencing, was used for genotyping. Investigations included slit lamp and fundus examination, Goldmann perimetry, full-field and multifocal electroretinography (ERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Cyclic GMP was measured with an immunoassay kit.


RESULTS
All siblings and their father were homozygous, and the mother heterozygous, for IVS6+1G>A in PDE6A. Seven family members also carried c1532G>A in ABCA4. Visual fields were constricted with mere central remnants in older subjects and additional temporal crescents in younger subjects. Visual acuity ranged from 0.8 to amaurosis. Full-field ERGs showed extinguished rod responses and minimal cone responses. Multifocal ERGs were severely reduced. Optical coherence tomography revealed either general attenuation or central macular edema. Mean plasma cGMP in patients was approximately twice that in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first phenotypic description of arRP due to homozygous IVS6+1G>A mutations in PDE6A and these seem here to be associated with severe RP leading to early extinction of rod responses as well as reduced macular function. Additionally, patients showed increased plasma levels of cGMP, indicating a possible role for cGMP measurements as part of the clinical tests for this and, after further investigations, maybe other forms of RP.
Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden.
Ulrika
U
Kjellström
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden.
Patricia
P
Veiga-Crespo
Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden.
Sten
S
Andréasson
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Ophthalmology, Lund, Sweden.
Per
P
Ekström
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000097:blood*; D054707:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 6 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004596:Electroretinography; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D015415:Biomarkers; D005136:Eye Proteins; D054707:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 6; C410522:PDE6A protein, human; D006152:Cyclic GMP