1
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Covello G, Ibrahim GH, Bacchi N, Casarosa S, Denti MA. Exon Skipping Through Chimeric Antisense U1 snRNAs to Correct Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase-Regulator ( RPGR) Splice Defect. Nucleic Acid Ther 2022; 32:333-349. [PMID: 35166581 PMCID: PMC9416563 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies are caused by mutations in more than 250 genes, each of them carrying several types of mutations that can lead to different clinical phenotypes. Mutations in Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase-Regulator (RPGR) cause X-linked Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A nucleotide substitution in intron 9 of RPGR causes the increase of an alternatively spliced isoform of the mature mRNA, bearing exon 9a (E9a). This introduces a stop codon, leading to truncation of the protein. Aiming at restoring impaired gene expression, we developed an antisense RNA-based therapeutic approach for the skipping of RPGR E9a. We designed a set of specific U1 antisense snRNAs (U1_asRNAs) and tested their efficacy in vitro, upon transient cotransfection with RPGR minigene reporter systems in HEK-293T, 661W, and PC-12 cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Covello
- RNA Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Gehan H Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Niccolò Bacchi
- RNA Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Simona Casarosa
- Neural Development and Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Centre for Medical Science - CIS Med, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Alessandra Denti
- RNA Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Keegan NP, Wilton SD, Fletcher S. Analysis of Pathogenic Pseudoexons Reveals Novel Mechanisms Driving Cryptic Splicing. Front Genet 2022; 12:806946. [PMID: 35140743 PMCID: PMC8819188 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.806946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding pre-mRNA splicing is crucial to accurately diagnosing and treating genetic diseases. However, mutations that alter splicing can exert highly diverse effects. Of all the known types of splicing mutations, perhaps the rarest and most difficult to predict are those that activate pseudoexons, sometimes also called cryptic exons. Unlike other splicing mutations that either destroy or redirect existing splice events, pseudoexon mutations appear to create entirely new exons within introns. Since exon definition in vertebrates requires coordinated arrangements of numerous RNA motifs, one might expect that pseudoexons would only arise when rearrangements of intronic DNA create novel exons by chance. Surprisingly, although such mutations do occur, a far more common cause of pseudoexons is deep-intronic single nucleotide variants, raising the question of why these latent exon-like tracts near the mutation sites have not already been purged from the genome by the evolutionary advantage of more efficient splicing. Possible answers may lie in deep intronic splicing processes such as recursive splicing or poison exon splicing. Because these processes utilize intronic motifs that benignly engage with the spliceosome, the regions involved may be more susceptible to exonization than other intronic regions would be. We speculated that a comprehensive study of reported pseudoexons might detect alignments with known deep intronic splice sites and could also permit the characterisation of novel pseudoexon categories. In this report, we present and analyse a catalogue of over 400 published pseudoexon splice events. In addition to confirming prior observations of the most common pseudoexon mutation types, the size of this catalogue also enabled us to suggest new categories for some of the rarer types of pseudoexon mutation. By comparing our catalogue against published datasets of non-canonical splice events, we also found that 15.7% of pseudoexons exhibit some splicing activity at one or both of their splice sites in non-mutant cells. Importantly, this included seven examples of experimentally confirmed recursive splice sites, confirming for the first time a long-suspected link between these two splicing phenomena. These findings have the potential to improve the fidelity of genetic diagnostics and reveal new targets for splice-modulating therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niall P. Keegan
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Steve D. Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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3
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Yang J, Zhou L, Ouyang J, Xiao X, Sun W, Li S, Zhang Q. Genotype-Phenotype Analysis of RPGR Variations: Reporting of 62 Chinese Families and a Literature Review. Front Genet 2021; 12:600210. [PMID: 34745198 PMCID: PMC8565807 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.600210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose RPGR is the most common cause of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP), of which female carriers are also frequently affected. The aim of the current study was to explore the RPGR variation spectrum and associated phenotype based on the data from our lab and previous studies. Methods Variants in RPGR were selected from exome sequencing data of 7,092 probands with different eye conditions. The probands and their available family members underwent comprehensive ocular examinations. Similar data were collected from previous reports through searches in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Systematic analyses of genotypes, phenotypes and their correlations were performed. Results A total of 46 likely pathogenic variants, including nine missense and one in-frame variants in RCC1-like domain and 36 truncation variants, in RPGR were detected in 62 unrelated families in our in-house cohort. In addition, a total of 585 variants, including 491 (83.9%) truncation variants, were identified from the literature. Systematic analysis of variants from our in-house dataset, literature, and gnomAD suggested that most of the pathogenic variants of RPGR were truncation variants while pathogenic missense and in-frame variants were enriched in the RCC1-like domain. Phenotypic variations were present between males and female carriers, including more severe refractive error but better best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in female carriers than those in males. The male patients showed a significant reduction of BCVA with increase of age and males with exon1-14 variants presented a better BCVA than those with ORF15 variants. For female carriers, the BCVA also showed significant reduction with increase of age, but BCVA in females with exon1-14 variants was not significant difference compared with those with ORF15 variants. Conclusion Most pathogenic variants of RPGR are truncations. Missense and in-frame variants located outside of the RCC1-like domain might be benign and the pathogenicity criteria for these variants should be considered with greater caution. The BCVA and refractive error are different between males and female carriers. Increase of age and location of variants in ORF15 contribute to the reduction of BCVA in males. These results are valuable for understanding genotypes and phenotypes of RPGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiamin Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueshan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenmin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiqiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingjiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Liang Q, Wu N, Zaneveld S, Liu H, Fu S, Wang K, Bertrand R, Wang J, Li Y, Chen R. Transcript isoforms of Reep6 have distinct functions in the retina. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:1907-1918. [PMID: 34104971 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the complexity of the eukaryotic cell transcriptome is due to the alternative splicing of mRNA. However, knowledge on how transcriptome complexity is translated into functional complexity remains limited. For example, although different isoforms of a gene may show distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns, it is largely unknown whether these isoforms encode proteins with distinct functions matching their expression pattern. In this report, we investigated the function and relationship of the two isoforms of Reep6, namely Reep6.1 and Reep6.2, in rod photoreceptor cells. These two isoforms result from the alternative splicing of exon 5 and show mutually exclusive expression patterns. Reep6.2 is the canonical isoform that is expressed in non-retinal tissues while Reep6.1 is the only expressed isoform in the adult retina. The Reep6.1 isoform-specific knockout mouse, Reep6E5/E5, is generated by deleting exon 5 and a homozygous deletion phenotypically displayed a rod degeneration phenotype comparable to a Reep6 full knockout mouse, indicating that the Reep6.1 isoform is essential for the rod photoreceptor cell survival. Consistent with the results obtained from a loss-of-function experiment, overexpression of Reep6.2 failed to rescue the rod degeneration phenotype of Reep6 knockout mice while overexpression of Reep6.1 does lead to rescue. These results demonstrate that, consistent with the expression pattern of the isoform, Reep6.1 has rod-specific functions that cannot be substituted by its canonical isoform. Our findings suggested that a strict regulation of splicing is required for the maintenance of photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingnan Liang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA.,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Nathaniel Wu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Smriti Zaneveld
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Hehe Liu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Shangyi Fu
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Renae Bertrand
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA.,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA.,Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
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5
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Di Iorio V, Karali M, Melillo P, Testa F, Brunetti-Pierri R, Musacchia F, Condroyer C, Neidhardt J, Audo I, Zeitz C, Banfi S, Simonelli F. Spectrum of Disease Severity in Patients With X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Due to RPGR Mutations. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:36. [PMID: 33372982 PMCID: PMC7774109 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to perform a detailed longitudinal phenotyping of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by mutations in the RPGR gene during a long follow-up period. Methods An Italian cohort of 48 male patients (from 31 unrelated families) with RPGR-associated RP was clinically assessed at a single center (mean follow-up = 6.5 years), including measurements of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Goldmann visual field (GVF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), microperimetry, and full-field electroretinography (ERG). Results Patients (29.6 ± 15.2 years) showed a mean BCVA of 0.6 ± 0.7 logMAR, mostly with myopic refraction (79.2%). Thirty patients (62.5%) presented a typical RP fundus, while the remaining sine pigmento RP. Over the follow-up, BCVA significantly declined at a mean rate of 0.025 logMAR/year. Typical RP and high myopia were associated with a significantly faster decline of BCVA. Blindness was driven primarily by GVF loss. ERG responses with a rod-cone pattern of dysfunction were detectable in patients (50%) that were significantly younger and more frequently presented sine pigmento RP. Thirteen patients (27.1%) had macular abnormalities without cystoid macular edema. Patients (50%) with a perimacular hyper-FAF ring were significantly younger, had a higher BCVA and a better-preserved ellipsoid zone band than those with markedly decreased FAF. Patients harboring pathogenic variants in exons 1 to 14 showed a milder phenotype compared to those with ORF15 mutations. Conclusions Our monocentric, longitudinal retrospective study revealed a spectrum disease progression in male patients with RPGR-associated RP. Slow disease progression correlated with sine pigmento RP, absence of high myopia, and mutations in RPGR exons 1 to 14.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Iorio
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Marianthi Karali
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Melillo
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Testa
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Brunetti-Pierri
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.,Research Center Neurosensory Science, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, DHU Sight Restore, INSERM-DGOS CIC, France.,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christina Zeitz
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Sandro Banfi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
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The Major Ciliary Isoforms of RPGR Build Different Interaction Complexes with INPP5E and RPGRIP1L. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073583. [PMID: 33808286 PMCID: PMC8037643 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) is frequently caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. A complex splicing process acts on the RPGR gene resulting in three major isoforms: RPGRex1-19, RPGRORF15 and RPGRskip14/15. We characterized the widely expressed, alternatively spliced transcript RPGRskip14/15 lacking exons 14 and 15. Using the CRISPR/eSpCas9 system, we generated HEK293T cell lines exclusively expressing the RPGRskip14/15 transcript from the endogenous RPGR gene. RPGRex1-19 and RPGRORF15 were knocked out. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that the RPGRskip14/15 protein localizes along primary cilia, resembling the expression pattern of RPGRex1-19. The number of cilia-carrying cells was not affected by the absence of the RPGRex1-19 and RPGRORF15 isoforms. Co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that both RPGRex1-19 and RPGRskip14/15 interact with PDE6D, further supporting that RPGRskip14/15 is associated with the protein networks along the primary cilium. Interestingly, interaction complexes with INPP5E or RPGRIP1L were only detectable with isoform RPGRex1-19, but not with RPGRskip14/15, demonstrating distinct functional properties of the major RPGR isoforms in spite of their similar subcellular localization. Our findings lead to the conclusion that protein binding sites within RPGR are mediated through alternative splicing. A tissue-specific expression ratio between RPGRskip14/15 and RPGRex1-19 seems required to regulate the ciliary concentration of RPGR interaction partners.
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7
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The Alter Retina: Alternative Splicing of Retinal Genes in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041855. [PMID: 33673358 PMCID: PMC7917623 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of mRNA is an essential mechanism to regulate and increase the diversity of the transcriptome and proteome. Alternative splicing frequently occurs in a tissue- or time-specific manner, contributing to differential gene expression between cell types during development. Neural tissues present extremely complex splicing programs and display the highest number of alternative splicing events. As an extension of the central nervous system, the retina constitutes an excellent system to illustrate the high diversity of neural transcripts. The retina expresses retinal specific splicing factors and produces a large number of alternative transcripts, including exclusive tissue-specific exons, which require an exquisite regulation. In fact, a current challenge in the genetic diagnosis of inherited retinal diseases stems from the lack of information regarding alternative splicing of retinal genes, as a considerable percentage of mutations alter splicing or the relative production of alternative transcripts. Modulation of alternative splicing in the retina is also instrumental in the design of novel therapeutic approaches for retinal dystrophies, since it enables precision medicine for specific mutations.
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8
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Kortüm F, Kieninger S, Mazzola P, Kohl S, Wissinger B, Prokisch H, Stingl K, Weisschuh N. X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Caused by Non-Canonical Splice Site Variants in RPGR. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020850. [PMID: 33467000 PMCID: PMC7830253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to validate the effect of non-canonical splice site variants in the RPGR gene in five patients from four families diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. Four variants located in intron 2 (c.154 + 3_154 + 6del), intron 3 (c.247 + 5G>A), intron 7 (c.779-5T>G), and intron 13 (c.1573-12A>G), respectively, were analyzed by means of in vitro splice assays. Splicing analysis revealed different aberrant splicing events, including exon skipping and intronic nucleotide addition, which are predicted to lead either to an in-frame deletion affecting relevant protein domains or to a frameshift of the open reading frame. Our data expand the landscape of pathogenic variants in RPGR, thereby increasing the genetic diagnostic rate in retinitis pigmentosa and allowing patients harboring the analyzed variants to be enrolled in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Kortüm
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (F.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Sinja Kieninger
- Center for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.K.); (S.K.); (B.W.)
| | - Pascale Mazzola
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Susanne Kohl
- Center for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.K.); (S.K.); (B.W.)
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Center for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.K.); (S.K.); (B.W.)
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany;
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Katarina Stingl
- Center for Ophthalmology, University Eye Hospital, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (F.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Nicole Weisschuh
- Center for Ophthalmology, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (S.K.); (S.K.); (B.W.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Translational Read-Through Therapy of RPGR Nonsense Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228418. [PMID: 33182541 PMCID: PMC7697989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
X-chromosomal retinitis pigmentosa (RP) frequently is caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. We evaluated the potential of PTC124 (Ataluren, TranslamaTM) treatment to promote ribosomal read-through of premature termination codons (PTC) in RPGR. Expression constructs in HEK293T cells showed that the efficacy of read-through reagents is higher for UGA than UAA PTCs. We identified the novel hemizygous nonsense mutation c.1154T > A, p.Leu385* (NM_000328.3) causing a UAA PTC in RPGR and generated patient-derived fibroblasts. Immunocytochemistry of serum-starved control fibroblasts showed the RPGR protein in a dot-like expression pattern along the primary cilium. In contrast, RPGR was no longer detectable at the primary cilium in patient-derived cells. Applying PTC124 restored RPGR at the cilium in approximately 8% of patient-derived cells. RT-PCR and Western blot assays verified the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the nonsense variant. Immunofluorescence stainings confirmed the successful PTC124 treatment. Our results showed for the first time that PTC124 induces read-through of PTCs in RPGR and restores the localization of the RPGR protein at the primary cilium in patient-derived cells. These results may provide a promising new treatment option for patients suffering from nonsense mutations in RPGR or other genetic diseases.
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10
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Walter MA, Rezaie T, Hufnagel RB, Arno G. Ocular genetics in the genomics age. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:860-868. [PMID: 32896097 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Current genetic screening methods for inherited eye diseases are concentrated on the coding exons of known disease genes (gene panels, clinical exome). These tests have a variable and often limited diagnostic rate depending on the clinical presentation, size of the gene panel and our understanding of the inheritance of the disorder (with examples described in this issue). There are numerous possible explanations for the missing heritability of these cases including undetected variants within the relevant gene (intronic, up/down-stream and structural variants), variants harbored in genes outside the targeted panel, intergenic variants, variants undetectable by the applied technology, complex/non-Mendelian inheritance, and nongenetic phenocopies. In this article we further explore and review methods to investigate these sources of missing heritability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Walter
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tayebeh Rezaie
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert B Hufnagel
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gavin Arno
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
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11
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Dufour VL, Cideciyan AV, Ye GJ, Song C, Timmers A, Habecker PL, Pan W, Weinstein NM, Swider M, Durham AC, Ying GS, Robinson PM, Jacobson SG, Knop DR, Chulay JD, Shearman MS, Aguirre GD, Beltran WA. Toxicity and Efficacy Evaluation of an Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Expressing Codon-Optimized RPGR Delivered by Subretinal Injection in a Canine Model of X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa. Hum Gene Ther 2020; 31:253-267. [PMID: 31910043 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) is developing a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector AGTC-501, also designated rAAV2tYF-GRK1-hRPGRco, to treat X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) in patients with mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. The vector contains a codon-optimized human RPGR cDNA (hRPGRco) driven by a photoreceptor-specific promoter (G protein-coupled receptor kinase 1 [GRK1]), and is packaged in an AAV2 capsid variant with three surface tyrosine residues changed to phenylalanine (AAV2tYF). We conducted a toxicity and efficacy study of this vector administered by subretinal injection in the naturally occurring RPGR mutant (X-linked progressive retinal atrophy 2 [XLPRA2]) dog model. Sixteen RPGR mutant dogs divided into four groups of three to five animals each received either a subretinal injection of 0.07 mL of AGTC-501 at low (1.2 × 1011 vector genome [vg]/mL), mid (6 × 1011 vg/mL), or high dose (3 × 1012 vg/mL), or of vehicle control in the right eye at early-stage disease. The left eye remained untreated. Subretinal injections were well tolerated and were not associated with systemic toxicity. Electroretinography, in vivo retinal imaging, and histological analysis showed rescue of photoreceptor function and structure in the absence of ocular toxicity in the low- and mid-dose treatment groups when compared with the vehicle-treated group. The high-dose group showed evidence of both photoreceptor rescue and posterior segment toxicity. These results support the use of AGTC-501 in clinical studies with patients affected with XLRP caused by RPGR mutations and define the no-observed-adverse-effect level at 6 × 1011 vg/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie L Dufour
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Guo-Jie Ye
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Chunjuan Song
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Adrian Timmers
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | - Perry L Habecker
- Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicole M Weinstein
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Malgorzata Swider
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amy C Durham
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gui-Shuang Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David R Knop
- Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation, Alachua, Florida
| | | | | | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - William A Beltran
- Division of Experimental Retinal Therapies, Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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12
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Mawatari G, Fujinami K, Liu X, Yang L, Yokokawa YF, Komori S, Ueno S, Terasaki H, Katagiri S, Hayashi T, Kuniyoshi K, Miyake Y, Tsunoda K, Yoshitake K, Iwata T, Nao-i N. Clinical and genetic characteristics of 14 patients from 13 Japanese families with RPGR-associated retinal disorder: report of eight novel variants. Hum Genome Var 2019; 6:34. [PMID: 31645972 PMCID: PMC6804603 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-019-0065-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene are a major cause of X-linked inherited retinal disorder (IRD). We herein describe the clinical and genetic features of 14 patients from 13 Japanese families harboring RPGR variants in a nationwide cohort. Comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were performed to classify the patients into one of the phenotype subgroups: retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and cone rod dystrophy (CORD). The mean age of onset/at examination was 13.8/38.1 years (range, 0-50/11-72), respectively. The mean visual acuity in the right/left eye was 0.43/0.43 (range, 0.1-1.7/-0.08-1.52) LogMAR unit. Eight patients had RP, and six had CORD. Whole-exome sequencing with target analyses identified 13 RPGR variants in 730 families with IRD, including 8 novel variants. An association between the phenotype subgroup and the position of variants (cutoff of amino acid 950) was revealed. To conclude, the clinical and genetic spectrum of RPGR-associated retinal disorder was first illustrated in a Japanese population, with a high proportion of novel variants. These results suggest the distinct genetic background of RPGR in the Japanese population, in which the genotype-phenotype association was affirmed. This evidence should be helpful monitoring and counseling patients and in selecting patients for future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Go Mawatari
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Xiao Liu
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lizhu Yang
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yu-Fujinami Yokokawa
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Public Health, Yokokawa Clinic, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiori Komori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Shinji Ueno
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Hiroko Terasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Satoshi Katagiri
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takaaki Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kuniyoshi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama City, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yozo Miyake
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Kobe Eye Center, Next Vision, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazushige Tsunoda
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Yoshitake
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Iwata
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhisa Nao-i
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - on behalf of the JEGC study group
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, Japan
- Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- Southwest Hospital/Southwest Eye Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Public Health, Yokokawa Clinic, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama City, Osaka, Japan
- Kobe Eye Center, Next Vision, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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13
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Huang D, Fletcher S, Wilton SD, Palmer N, McLenachan S, Mackey DA, Chen FK. Inherited Retinal Disease Therapies Targeting Precursor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid. Vision (Basel) 2017; 1:vision1030022. [PMID: 31740647 PMCID: PMC6836112 DOI: 10.3390/vision1030022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases are an extremely diverse group of genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous conditions characterized by variable maturation of retinal development, impairment of photoreceptor cell function and gradual loss of photoreceptor cells and vision. Significant progress has been made over the last two decades in identifying the many genes implicated in inherited retinal diseases and developing novel therapies to address the underlying genetic defects. Approximately one-quarter of exonic mutations related to human inherited diseases are likely to induce aberrant splicing products, providing opportunities for the development of novel therapeutics that target splicing processes. The feasibility of antisense oligomer mediated splice intervention to treat inherited diseases has been demonstrated in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss therapeutic approaches to treat inherited retinal disease, including strategies to correct splicing and modify exon selection at the level of pre-mRNA. The challenges of clinical translation of this class of emerging therapeutics will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Huang
- Molecular Therapy Laboratory, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Australia
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia
- Perron Institute, 4th Floor A Block, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Verdun Street, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Molecular Therapy Laboratory, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute, 4th Floor A Block, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Verdun Street, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Steve D. Wilton
- Molecular Therapy Laboratory, Murdoch University, Murdoch 6150, Australia
- Perron Institute, 4th Floor A Block, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Verdun Street, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Norman Palmer
- Perron Institute, 4th Floor A Block, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Verdun Street, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Samuel McLenachan
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - David A. Mackey
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia
| | - Fred K. Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science (Incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands 6009, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth 6000, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-8-9381-0817
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Novel variants of RPGR in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa families and genotype-phenotype correlation. Eur J Ophthalmol 2017; 27:240-248. [PMID: 27768226 DOI: 10.5301/ejo.5000879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify novel mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene and retinitis pigmentosa 2 (RP2) gene underlying X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and assess genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS The patient cohort, consisting of 13 individuals from 3 unrelated XLRP families, underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. The open reading frames of RPGR and RP2 were analyzed with Sanger sequencing in each patient. The identified genetic variants were defined as mutations or polymorphisms on the basis of their pathological effect. RESULTS We found 3 genetic variants: a novel mutation c.1591G>T in exon 14 and a novel polymorphism c.1105C>T in exon 10, resulting in p.Glu531* and p.Arg369Cys of RPGR gene, respectively, and one already known mutation c.413A>G in exon 2, resulting in a p.Glu138Gly of RP2 gene. Considering our XLRP probands, RPGR-related phenotypic damages were similar and less severe than those of the patient with the RP2 mutation. On the other hand, the female carriers of XLRP variants showed different RPGR-related consequences, ranging from rods hypofunctionality in c.1591G>T nonsense heterozygosity to no retinal changes in c.1105C>T polymorphic heterozygosity. CONCLUSIONS These findings broaden the spectrum of RPGR mutations and phenotypic variability of the disease, which will be useful for genetic consultation and diagnosis in the future.
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Identification of novel X-linked gain-of-function RPGR-ORF15 mutation in Italian family with retinitis pigmentosa and pathologic myopia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39179. [PMID: 27995965 PMCID: PMC5171904 DOI: 10.1038/srep39179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe a new pathogenic variant in the mutational hot spot exon ORF15 of retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene within an Italian family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP), detailing its distinctive genotype-phenotype correlation with pathologic myopia (PM). All members of this RP-PM family underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. The entire open reading frames of RPGR and retinitis pigmentosa 2 genes were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. A novel frame-shift mutation in exon ORF15 of RPGR gene (c.2091_2092insA; p.A697fs) was identified as hemizygous variant in the male proband with RP, and as heterozygous variant in the females of this pedigree who invariably exhibited symmetrical PM in both eyes. The c.2091_2092insA mutation coherently co-segregated with the observed phenotypes. These findings expand the spectrum of X-linked RP variants. Interestingly, focusing on Caucasian ethnicity, just three RPGR mutations are hitherto reported in RP-PM families: one of these is located in exon ORF15, but none appears to be characterized by a high penetrance of PM trait as observed in the present, relatively small, pedigree. The geno-phenotypic attributes of this heterozygosity suggest that gain-of-function mechanism could give rise to PM via a degenerative cell-cell remodeling of the retinal structures.
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16
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Kropatsch R, Akkad DA, Frank M, Rosenhagen C, Altmüller J, Nürnberg P, Epplen JT, Dekomien G. A large deletion in RPGR causes XLPRA in Weimaraner dogs. Canine Genet Epidemiol 2016; 3:7. [PMID: 27398221 PMCID: PMC4938961 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-016-0037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) belongs to a group of inherited retinal disorders associated with gradual vision impairment due to degeneration of retinal photoreceptors in various dog breeds. PRA is highly heterogeneous, with autosomal dominant, recessive or X-linked modes of inheritance. In this study we used exome sequencing to investigate the molecular genetic basis of a new type of PRA, which occurred spontaneously in a litter of German short-hair Weimaraner dogs. Results Whole exome sequencing in two PRA-affected Weimaraner dogs identified a large deletion comprising the first four exons of the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene known to be involved in human retinitis pigmentosa and canine PRA. Screening of 16 individuals in the corresponding pedigree of short-hair Weimaraners by qPCR, verified the deletion in hemizygous or heterozygous state in one male and six female dogs, respectively. The mutation was absent in 88 additional unrelated Weimaraners. The deletion was not detectable in the parents of one older female which transmitted the mutation to her offspring, indicating that the RPGR deletion represents a de novo mutation concerning only recent generations of the Weimaraner breed in Germany. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the value of an existing DNA biobank combined with exome sequencing to identify the underlying genetic cause of a spontaneously occurring inherited disease. Identification of the genetic cause has allowed the development of a diagnostic test, which should help to eradicate the PRA causing mutation from the respective canine line. Thus, planning of future pairings is facilitated and manifestation of this type of PRA can be prevented. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40575-016-0037-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Kropatsch
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Denis A Akkad
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Matthias Frank
- Kleintierklinik Frank, Mooswaldallee 10 i, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carsten Rosenhagen
- Tierärztliche Überweisungspraxis, Lortzingstraße 12, 28209 Bremen, Germany
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Weyertal 115 b, 50931 Cologne, Germany ; Institute of Human Genetics, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 34, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Weyertal 115 b, 50931 Cologne, Germany ; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Robert-Koch Str. 21, 50931 Cologne, Germany ; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörg T Epplen
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany ; Faculty of Health, University Witten-Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Strasse 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Gabriele Dekomien
- Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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17
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Bujakowska KM, White J, Place E, Consugar M, Comander J. Efficient In Silico Identification of a Common Insertion in the MAK Gene which Causes Retinitis Pigmentosa. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142614. [PMID: 26558903 PMCID: PMC4641726 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Next generation sequencing (NGS) offers a rapid and comprehensive method of screening for mutations associated with retinitis pigmentosa and related disorders. However, certain sequence alterations such as large insertions or deletions may remain undetected using standard NGS pipelines. One such mutation is a recently-identified Alu insertion into the Male Germ Cell-Associated Kinase (MAK) gene, which is missed by standard NGS-based variant callers. Here, we developed an in silico method of searching NGS raw sequence reads to detect this mutation, without the need to recalculate sequence alignments or to screen every sample by PCR. Methods The Linux program grep was used to search for a 23 bp “probe” sequence containing the known junction sequence of the insert. A corresponding search was performed with the wildtype sequence. The matching reads were counted and further compared to the known sequences of the full wildtype and mutant genomic loci. (See https://github.com/MEEIBioinformaticsCenter/grepsearch.) Results In a test sample set consisting of eleven previously published homozygous mutants, detection of the MAK-Alu insertion was validated with 100% sensitivity and specificity. As a discovery cohort, raw NGS reads from 1,847 samples (including custom and whole exome selective capture) were searched in ~1 hour on a local computer cluster, yielding an additional five samples with MAK-Alu insertions and solving two previously unsolved pedigrees. Of these, one patient was homozygous for the insertion, one compound heterozygous with a missense change on the other allele (c. 46G>A; p.Gly16Arg), and three were heterozygous carriers. Conclusions Using the MAK-Alu grep program proved to be a rapid and effective method of finding a known, disease-causing Alu insertion in a large cohort of patients with NGS data. This simple approach avoids wet-lab assays or computationally expensive algorithms, and could also be used for other known disease-causing insertions and deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga M. Bujakowska
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Joseph White
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily Place
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mark Consugar
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jason Comander
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Megaw RD, Soares DC, Wright AF. RPGR: Its role in photoreceptor physiology, human disease, and future therapies. Exp Eye Res 2015; 138:32-41. [PMID: 26093275 PMCID: PMC4553903 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian photoreceptors contain specialised connecting cilia that connect the inner (IS) to the outer segments (OS). Dysfunction of the connecting cilia due to mutations in ciliary proteins are a common cause of the inherited retinal dystrophy retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Mutations affecting the Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator (RPGR) protein is one such cause, affecting 10-20% of all people with RP and the majority of those with X-linked RP. RPGR is located in photoreceptor connecting cilia. It interacts with a wide variety of ciliary proteins, but its exact function is unknown. Recently, there have been important advances both in our understanding of RPGR function and towards the development of a therapy. This review summarises the existing literature on human RPGR function and dysfunction, and suggests that RPGR plays a role in the function of the ciliary gate, which controls access of both membrane and soluble proteins to the photoreceptor outer segment. We discuss key models used to investigate and treat RPGR disease and suggest that gene augmentation therapy offers a realistic therapeutic approach, although important questions still remain to be answered, while cell replacement therapy based on retinal progenitor cells represents a more distant prospect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roly D Megaw
- Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom.
| | - Dinesh C Soares
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom.
| | - Alan F Wright
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, United Kingdom.
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Species-dependent splice recognition of a cryptic exon resulting from a recurrent intronic CEP290 mutation that causes congenital blindness. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:5285-98. [PMID: 25761237 PMCID: PMC4394476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16035285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A mutation in intron 26 of CEP290 (c.2991+1655A>G) is the most common genetic cause of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a severe type of inherited retinal degeneration. This mutation creates a cryptic splice donor site, resulting in the insertion of an aberrant exon (exon X) into ~50% of all CEP290 transcripts. A humanized mouse model with this mutation did not recapitulate the aberrant CEP290 splicing observed in LCA patients, suggesting differential recognition of cryptic splice sites between species. To further assess this phenomenon, we generated two CEP290 minigene constructs, with and without the intronic mutation, and transfected these in cell lines of various species. RT-PCR analysis revealed that exon X is well recognized by the splicing machinery in human and non-human primate cell lines. Intriguingly, this recognition decreases in cell lines derived from species such as dog and rodents, and it is completely absent in Drosophila. In addition, other cryptic splicing events corresponding to sequences in intron 26 of CEP290 were observed to varying degrees in the different cell lines. Together, these results highlight the complexity of splice site recognition among different species, and show that care is warranted when generating animal models to mimic splice site mutations in vivo.
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20
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Hu F, Zeng XY, Liu LL, Luo YL, Jiang YP, Wang H, Xie J, Hu CQ, Gan L, Huang L. Genetic analysis of Chinese families reveals a novel truncation allele of the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene. Int J Ophthalmol 2014; 7:753-8. [PMID: 25349787 DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2014.05.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To make comprehensive molecular diagnosis for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients in a consanguineous Han Chinese family using next generation sequencing based Capture-NGS screen technology. METHODS A five-generation Han Chinese family diagnosed as non-syndromic X-linked recessive RP (XLRP) was recruited, including four affected males, four obligate female carriers and eleven unaffected family members. Capture-NGS was performed using a custom designed capture panel covers 163 known retinal disease genes including 47 RP genes, followed by the validation of detected mutation using Sanger sequencing in all recruited family members. RESULTS Capture-NGS in one affected 47-year-old male reveals a novel mutation, c.2417_2418insG:p.E806fs, in exon ORF15 of RP GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene results in a frameshift change that results in a premature stop codon and a truncated protein product. The mutation was further validated in three of four affected males and two of four female carriers but not in the other unaffected family members. CONCLUSION We have identified a novel mutation, c.2417_2418insG:p.E806fs, in a Han Chinese family with XLRP. Our findings expand the mutation spectrum of RPGR and the phenotypic spectrum of XLRP in Han Chinese families, and confirms Capture-NGS could be an effective and economic approach for the comprehensive molecular diagnosis of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xiang-Yun Zeng
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Lin-Lin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yao-Ling Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Yi-Ping Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Cheng-Quan Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Lin Gan
- Flaum Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Liang Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, Jiangxi Province, China ; Flaum Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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21
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Beltran WA, Cideciyan AV, Lewin AS, Hauswirth WW, Jacobson SG, Aguirre GD. Gene augmentation for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in RPGR. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014; 5:a017392. [PMID: 25301933 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a017392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) caused by mutations in the RPGR gene is a severe and early onset form of retinal degeneration, and no treatment is currently available. Recent evidence in two clinically relevant canine models shows that adeno-associated viral (AAV)-mediated RPGR gene transfer to rods and cones can prevent disease onset and rescue photoreceptors at early- and mid-stages of degeneration. There is thus a strong incentive for conducting long-term, preclinical efficacy and safety studies, while concomitantly pursuing the detailed phenotypic characterization of XLRP disease in patients that may benefit from such corrective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Beltran
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Artur V Cideciyan
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Alfred S Lewin
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - William W Hauswirth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610
| | - Samuel G Jacobson
- Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Gustavo D Aguirre
- Section of Ophthalmology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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22
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Liu MM, Zack DJ. Alternative splicing and retinal degeneration. Clin Genet 2013; 84:142-9. [PMID: 23647439 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing is highly regulated in tissue-specific and development-specific patterns, and it has been estimated that 15% of disease-causing point mutations affect pre-mRNA splicing. In this review, we consider the cis-acting splice site and trans-acting splicing factor mutations that affect pre-mRNA splicing and contribute to retinal degeneration. Numerous splice site mutations have been identified in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and various cone-rod dystrophies. Mutations in alternatively spliced retina-specific exons of the widely expressed RPGR and COL2A1 genes lead primarily to X-linked RP and ocular variants of Stickler syndrome, respectively. Furthermore, mutations in general pre-mRNA splicing factors, such as PRPF31, PRPF8, and PRPF3, predominantly cause autosomal dominant RP. These findings suggest an important role for pre-mRNA splicing in retinal homeostasis and the pathogenesis of retinal degenerative diseases. The development of novel therapeutic strategies to modulate aberrant splicing, including small molecule-based therapies, has the potential to lead to new treatments for retinal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Liu
- Wilmer Eye Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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23
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Churchill JD, Bowne SJ, Sullivan LS, Lewis RA, Wheaton DK, Birch DG, Branham KE, Heckenlively JR, Daiger SP. Mutations in the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa genes RPGR and RP2 found in 8.5% of families with a provisional diagnosis of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013; 54:1411-6. [PMID: 23372056 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.12-11541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We determined the fraction of families in a well-characterized cohort with a provisional diagnosis of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) that have disease-causing mutations in the X-linked retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene or the retinitis pigmentosa 2 (RP2) gene. METHODS Families with a provisional clinical diagnosis of adRP, and a pedigree consistent with adRP but no male-to-male transmission were selected from a cohort of 258 families, and tested for mutations in the RPGR and RP2 genes with di-deoxy sequencing. To facilitate testing of RPGR in "adRP" families that had no male members available for testing, the repetitive and purine-rich ORF15 of RPGR was subcloned and sequenced in heterozygous female subjects from 16 unrelated families. RESULTS Direct sequencing of RPGR and RP2 allowed for identification of a disease-causing mutation in 21 families. Of these "adRP" families 19 had RPGR mutations, and two had RP2 mutations. Subcloning and sequencing of ORF15 of RPGR in female subjects identified one additional RPGR mutation. Of the 22 mutations identified, 15 have been reported previously. CONCLUSIONS These data show that 8.5% (22 in 258) of families thought to have adRP truly have X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). These results have substantive implications for calculation of recurrence risk, genetic counseling, and potential treatment options, and illustrate the importance of screening families with a provisional diagnosis of autosomal inheritance and no male-to-male transmission for mutations in X-linked genes. Mutations in RPGR are one of the most common causes of all forms of retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Churchill
- Human Genetics Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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24
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Allelic heterogeneity and genetic modifier loci contribute to clinical variation in males with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa due to RPGR mutations. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23021. [PMID: 21857984 PMCID: PMC3155520 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in RPGR account for over 70% of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XlRP), characterized by retinal degeneration and eventual blindness. The clinical consequences of RPGR mutations are highly varied, even among individuals with the same mutation: males demonstrate a wide range of clinical severity, and female carriers may or may not be affected. This study describes the phenotypic diversity in a cohort of 98 affected males from 56 families with RPGR mutations, and demonstrates the contribution of genetic factors (i.e., allelic heterogeneity and genetic modifiers) to this diversity. Patients were categorized as grade 1 (mild), 2 (moderate) or 3 (severe) according to specific clinical criteria. Patient DNAs were genotyped for coding SNPs in 4 candidate modifier genes with products known to interact with RPGR protein: RPGRIP1, RPGRIP1L, CEP290, and IQCB1. Family-based association testing was performed using PLINK. A wide range of clinical severity was observed both between and within families. Patients with mutations in exons 1–14 were more severely affected than those with ORF15 mutations, and patients with predicted null alleles were more severely affected than those predicted to make RPGR protein. Two SNPs showed association with severe disease: the minor allele (N) of I393N in IQCB1 (p = 0.044) and the common allele (R) of R744Q in RPGRIP1L (p = 0.049). These data demonstrate that allelic heterogeneity contributes to phenotypic diversity in XlRP and suggest that this may depend on the presence or absence of RPGR protein. In addition, common variants in 2 proteins known to interact with RPGR are associated with severe disease in this cohort.
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Schmid F, Glaus E, Barthelmes D, Fliegauf M, Gaspar H, Nürnberg G, Nürnberg P, Omran H, Berger W, Neidhardt J. U1 snRNA-mediated gene therapeutic correction of splice defects caused by an exceptionally mild BBS mutation. Hum Mutat 2011; 32:815-24. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.21509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Gene therapeutic approach using mutation-adapted U1 snRNA to correct a RPGR splice defect in patient-derived cells. Mol Ther 2011; 19:936-41. [PMID: 21326217 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2011.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a disease that primarily affects the peripheral retina and ultimately causes visual impairment. X-chromosomal forms of RP are frequently caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene. We show that the novel splice donor site (SDS) mutation c.1245+3A>T in intron 10 of RPGR cosegregates with RP in a five-generation Caucasian family. The mutation causes in-frame skipping of exon 10 from RPGR transcripts in patient-derived primary fibroblasts. To correct the splice defect, we developed a gene therapeutic approach using mutation-adapted U1 small nuclear RNA (U1). U1 is required for SDS recognition of pre-mRNAs and initiates the splice process. The mutation described herein interferes with the recognition of the SDS by U1. To overcome the deleterious effects of the mutation, we generated four U1 isoforms with increasing complementarity to the SDS. Lentiviral particles were used to transduce patient-derived fibroblasts with these U1 variants. Full complementarity of U1 corrects the splice defect partially and increases recognition of the mutant SDS. The therapeutic effect is U1-concentration dependent as we show for endogenously expressed RPGR transcripts in patient-derived cells. U1-based gene therapeutic approaches constitute promising technologies to treat SDS mutations in inherited diseases including X-linked RP.
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Langmann T, Di Gioia SA, Rau I, Stöhr H, Maksimovic NS, Corbo JC, Renner AB, Zrenner E, Kumaramanickavel G, Karlstetter M, Arsenijevic Y, Weber BHF, Gal A, Rivolta C. Nonsense mutations in FAM161A cause RP28-associated recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Am J Hum Genet 2010; 87:376-81. [PMID: 20705278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2010.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2010] [Revised: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative disease of the retina leading to progressive loss of vision and, in many instances, to legal blindness at the end stage. The RP28 locus was assigned in 1999 to the short arm of chromosome 2 by homozygosity mapping in a large Indian family segregating autosomal-recessive RP (arRP). Following a combined approach of chromatin immunoprecipitation and parallel sequencing of genomic DNA, we identified a gene, FAM161A, which was shown to carry a homozygous nonsense mutation (p.Arg229X) in patients from the original RP28 pedigree. Another homozygous FAM161A stop mutation (p.Arg437X) was detected in three subjects from a cohort of 118 apparently unrelated German RP patients. Age at disease onset in these patients was in the second to third decade, with severe visual handicap in the fifth decade and legal blindness in the sixth to seventh decades. FAM161A is a phylogenetically conserved gene, expressed in the retina at relatively high levels and encoding a putative 76 kDa protein of unknown function. In the mouse retina, Fam161a mRNA is developmentally regulated and controlled by the transcription factor Crx, as demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation and organotypic reporter assays on explanted retinas. Fam161a protein localizes to photoreceptor cells during development, and in adult animals it is present in the inner segment as well as the outer plexiform layer of the retina, the synaptic interface between photoreceptors and their efferent neurons. Taken together, our data indicate that null mutations in FAM161A are responsible for the RP28-associated arRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Langmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Germany
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Berger W, Kloeckener-Gruissem B, Neidhardt J. The molecular basis of human retinal and vitreoretinal diseases. Prog Retin Eye Res 2010; 29:335-75. [PMID: 20362068 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2010.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 404] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During the last two to three decades, a large body of work has revealed the molecular basis of many human disorders, including retinal and vitreoretinal degenerations and dysfunctions. Although belonging to the group of orphan diseases, they affect probably more than two million people worldwide. Most excitingly, treatment of a particular form of congenital retinal degeneration is now possible. A major advantage for treatment is the unique structure and accessibility of the eye and its different components, including the vitreous and retina. Knowledge of the many different eye diseases affecting retinal structure and function (night and colour blindness, retinitis pigmentosa, cone and cone rod dystrophies, photoreceptor dysfunctions, as well as vitreoretinal traits) is critical for future therapeutic development. We have attempted to present a comprehensive picture of these disorders, including biological, clinical, genetic and molecular information. The structural organization of the review leads the reader through non-syndromic and syndromic forms of (i) rod dominated diseases, (ii) cone dominated diseases, (iii) generalized retinal degenerations and (iv) vitreoretinal disorders, caused by mutations in more than 165 genes. Clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity have an important impact on genetic testing and counselling of affected families. As phenotypes do not always correlate with the respective genotypes, it is of utmost importance that clinicians, geneticists, counsellors, diagnostic laboratories and basic researchers understand the relationships between phenotypic manifestations and specific genes, as well as mutations and pathophysiologic mechanisms. We discuss future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Berger
- Division of Medical Molecular Genetics and Gene Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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Shu X, Zeng Z, Gautier P, Lennon A, Gakovic M, Patton EE, Wright AF. Zebrafish Rpgr is required for normal retinal development and plays a role in dynein-based retrograde transport processes. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 19:657-70. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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Veltel S, Wittinghofer A. RPGR and RP2: targets for the treatment of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2009; 13:1239-51. [PMID: 19702441 DOI: 10.1517/14728220903225016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa is the most important hereditary eye disease and there is currently no cure available. Although mutations were found in more than 40 genes in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, only two genes have thus far been found to be responsible for one of the most severe forms of the disease, X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge about the two gene products RPGR and RP2 and try to link genetic data from patients with functional data on the corresponding proteins. Based on the fact that recent gene therapeutic approaches for eye diseases are at a very promising stage, we discuss the potential of RPGR and RP2 as drug targets to treat retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Veltel
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, Abteilung Strukturelle Biologie, Otto Hahn-Street 11, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE To provide a mechanistic link between mutations in PRPF31, and essential and ubiquitously expressed gene, and retinitis pigmentosa, a disorder restricted to the eye. METHODS We investigated the existence of retina-specific PRPF31 isoforms and the expression of this gene in human retina and other tissues, as well as in cultured human cell lines. PRPF31 transcripts were examined by RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, cloning and sequencing. RESULTS Database searching revealed the presence of a retina-specific PRPF31 isoform in mouse. However, this isoform could not be experimentally identified in transcripts from human retina or from a human whole eye. Nevertheless, four different PRPF31 isoforms, that were common to all analyzed tissues and cell lines, were isolated. Three of these harbored the full-length PRPF31 coding sequence, whereas the fourth was very short and probably non-coding. The amount of PRPF31 mRNA was previously found to be lower in patients with mutations in this gene than in healthy individuals, making it likely that retinal cells are more sensitive to variation in PRPF31 expression. However, quantitative PCR experiments revealed that PRPF31 mRNA levels in human retina were comparable to those detected in other tissues. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the retina-restricted phenotype caused by PRPF31 mutations cannot be explained by the presence of tissue-specific isoforms, or by differential expression of PRPF31 in the retina. As a consequence, the etiology of PRPF31-associated retinitis pigmentosa likely relies on other, probably more subtle molecular mechanisms.
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Brunner S, Colman D, Travis AJ, Luhmann UF, Shi W, Feil S, Imsand C, Nelson J, Grimm C, Rülicke T, Fundele R, Neidhardt J, Berger W. Overexpression of RPGR Leads to Male Infertility in Mice Due to Defects in Flagellar Assembly1. Biol Reprod 2008; 79:608-17. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.107.067454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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Hadjebi O, Casas-Terradellas E, Garcia-Gonzalo FR, Rosa JL. The RCC1 superfamily: From genes, to function, to disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2008; 1783:1467-79. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2008.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2007] [Revised: 03/19/2008] [Accepted: 03/20/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Shu X, McDowall E, Brown AF, Wright AF. The human retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene variant database. Hum Mutat 2008; 29:605-8. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.20733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Kloeckener-Gruissem B, Vandekerckhove K, Nürnberg G, Neidhardt J, Zeitz C, Nürnberg P, Schipper I, Berger W. Mutation of solute carrier SLC16A12 associates with a syndrome combining juvenile cataract with microcornea and renal glucosuria. Am J Hum Genet 2008; 82:772-9. [PMID: 18304496 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2007.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2007] [Revised: 12/04/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unobstructed vision requires a particular refractive index of the lens, a measure based on the organization of the structural proteins within the differentiated lens cells. To ensure an intact lens structure, homeostasis within the lens cells is indispensable. Alterations of the lens structure result in opacity and lead to cataract. Renal glucosuria is defined by elevated glucose level in the urine without hyperglycemia and without evidence of morphological renal anomalies. In a Swiss family with autosomal dominant juvenile cataract, microcornea, and renal glucosuria, we have identified a nonsense mutation in a member of the carboxylic acid transporter family SLC16. The underlying gene defect in SLC16A12 resides within a 3 cM region on chromosome 10q23.13 defined by linkage mapping of this phenotype. We found tissue-specific variability of SLC16A12 transcript levels in control samples, with high expression in the eye and kidney, the two organs affected by this syndrome. This report demonstrates biological relevance of this solute carrier. We hypothesize that SLC16A12 is important for lens and kidney homeostasis and discuss its potential role in age-related cataract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kloeckener-Gruissem
- Division of Medical Molecular Genetics and Gene Diagnostics, Institute of Medical Genetics, University Zurich, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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He S, Parapuram SK, Hurd TW, Behnam B, Margolis B, Swaroop A, Khanna H. Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator (RPGR) protein isoforms in mammalian retina: insights into X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa and associated ciliopathies. Vision Res 2007; 48:366-76. [PMID: 17904189 PMCID: PMC2267686 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2007] [Revised: 08/03/2007] [Accepted: 08/06/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the cilia-centrosomal protein Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator (RPGR) are a frequent cause of retinal degeneration. The RPGR gene undergoes complex alternative splicing and encodes multiple protein isoforms. To elucidate the function of major RPGR isoforms (RPGR 1-19 and RPGR ORF15), we have generated isoform-specific antibodies and examined their expression and localization in the retina. Using sucrose-gradient centrifugation, immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation methods, we show that RPGR isoforms localize to distinct sub-cellular compartments in mammalian photoreceptors and associate with a number of cilia-centrosomal proteins. The RCC1-like domain of RPGR, which is present in all major RPGR isoforms, is sufficient to target it to the cilia and centrosomes in cultured cells. Our findings indicate that multiple isotypes of RPGR may perform overlapping yet somewhat distinct transport-related functions in photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley He
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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