Identification of mutations causing inherited retinal degenerations in the Israeli and Palestinian populations using homozygosity mapping

Avigail Beryozkin, Lina Zelinger, Dikla Bandah-Rozenfeld, Elia Shevach, Anat Harel, Tim Storm, Michal Sagi, Dalia Eli, Saul Merin, Eyal Banin, Dror Sharon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

Methods. Clinical analysis included family history, ocular examination, full-field electroretinography (ERG), and funduscopy. Molecular analysis included homozygosity mapping and mutation analysis of candidate genes. Results. We recruited for the study families with AR nonsyndromic retinal degenerations, including mainly retinitis pigmentosa (RP), cone-rod degeneration (CRD), and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). With the aim to identify the causative genes in these families, we performed homozygosity mapping using whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays in 125 families. The analysis revealed the identification of 14 mutations, 5 of which are novel, in 16 of the families. The mutations were identified in the following eight genes: RDH12, PROM1, MFRP, TULP1, LCA5, CEP290, NR2E3, and EYS. While most patients had a retinal disease that is compatible with the causing gene, in some cases new clinical features are evident. Conclusions. Homozygosity mapping is a powerful tool to identify genetic defects underlying heterogeneous AR disorders, such as RP and LCA, in consanguineous and nonconsanguineous patients. The identification of significant and large homozygous regions, which do not include any known retinal disease genes, may be a useful tool to identify novel disease-causing genes, using next generation sequencing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1149-1160
Number of pages12
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume55
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Jan 2014

Keywords

  • Homozygosity mapping
  • Retinal degeneration
  • Retinitis pigmentosa

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