The mutation p.E113K in the Schiff base counterion of rhodopsin is associated with two distinct retinal phenotypes within the same family

Sci Rep. 2016 Nov 4:6:36208. doi: 10.1038/srep36208.

Abstract

The diagnoses of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and stationary night blindness (CSNB) are two distinct clinical entities belonging to a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous retinal diseases. The current study focused on the identification of causative mutations in the RP-affected index patient and in several members of the same family that reported a phenotype resembling CSNB. Ophthalmological examinations of the index patient confirmed a typical form of RP. In contrast, clinical characterizations and ERGs of another affected family member showed the Riggs-type CSNB lacking signs of RP. Applying whole exome sequencing we detected the non-synonymous substitution c.337G > A, p.E113 K in the rhodopsin (RHO) gene. The mutation co-segregated with the diseases. The identification of the pathogenic variant p.E113 K is the first description of a naturally-occurring mutation in the Schiff base counterion of RHO in human patients. The heterozygous mutation c.337G > A in exon 1 was confirmed in the index patient as well as in five CSNB-affected relatives. This pathogenic sequence change was excluded in a healthy family member and in 199 ethnically matched controls. Our findings suggest that a mutation in the biochemically well-characterized counterion p.E113 in RHO can be associated with RP or Riggs-type CSNB, even within the same family.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Case-Control Studies
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Female
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation, Missense*
  • Night Blindness / diagnostic imaging
  • Night Blindness / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / diagnostic imaging
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / genetics*
  • Rhodopsin / chemistry
  • Rhodopsin / genetics*
  • Schiff Bases
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Schiff Bases
  • Rhodopsin