Novel complex GUCY2D mutation in Japanese family with cone-rod dystrophy

All mutations in the retinal guanylate cyclase gene (GUCY2D) that causes autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy (CORD) are associated with an amino acid substitution in codon 838. A novel heterozygous complex missense mutation of I915T and G917R in the GUCY2D gene was found in a Japanese family with autosomal dominant CORD. The clinical features associated with this mutation were described.

Blood samples were collected from 27 patients with cone-rod or cone dystrophies and from 11 patients with macular dystrophy. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes. All 18 coding exons of the GUCY2D gene were directly sequenced. The PCR product carrying a novel mutation was subcloned, and each allele was sequenced. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed in members of the family with the novel mutation.

A novel heterozygous complex missense mutation of T2817C and G2822C that would predict I915T and G917R amino acid substitutions, respectively, was found in an autosomal dominant CORD family. The two nucleotide changes were located on the same allele, and segregated with the disease. Two other known missense mutations of R838H and R838C were found in two other CORD families. The clinical phenotype associated with the novel mutation was similar to that with the Arg838 mutations.

A heterozygous complex mutation of I915T and G917R in the GUCY2D gene caused autosomal dominant CORD, indicating that a heterozygous mutation that does not include a codon 838 substitution can lead to this ocular phenotype.