First to describe the clinical features associated with an RP2 mutation...

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Biology Articles » Genetics » A New Leu253Arg Mutation in the RP2 Gene in a Japanese Family with X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa

Abstract

- A New Leu253Arg Mutation in the RP2 Gene in a Japanese Family with X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa

A New Leu253Arg Mutation in the RP2 Gene in a Japanese Family with X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa

Yuko Wada¹, Mitsuru Nakazawa², Toshiaki Abe¹ and Makoto Tamai¹

¹ From the Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan; and the ² Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan.

PURPOSE. To identify the clinical findings in a Japanese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa associated with mutation in codon 253 (Leu253Arg) in the RP2 gene.

METHODS. Case reports included clinical features and results of fluorescein angiography, electroretinogram, kinetic visual field testing, and DNA analysis. Two affected hemizygotes with retinitis pigmentosa associated with transversion mutations in codon 253 (Leu253Arg) of the RP2 gene and the obligate carriers were examined.

RESULTS. A novel Leu253Arg mutation of the RP2 gene was found to cosegregate with retinal degeneration in two affected males and two carriers in female heterozygote in a Japanese family. The ophthalmic findings in hemizygote showed severe retinal degeneration. In the obligate carrier, mild chorioretinal degeneration was observed in both eyes but a tapetal-like reflex of the fundus was not apparent.

CONCLUSIONS. The mutation at codon 253 of the RP2 gene is the first mutation reported in a Japanese family. It is concluded that the mutation of the RP2 gene also causes the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa in Japanese patients.

Source: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2000;41:290-293. © 2000 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.