Dataset Information

A novel homozygous missense mutation p.P388S in TULP1 causes protein instability and retinitis pigmentosa.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disorder that results in the degeneration of photoreceptor cells, ultimately leading to severe visual impairment. We characterized a consanguineous family from Southern India wherein a 25 year old individual presented with night blindness since childhood. The purpose of this study was to identify the causative mutation for RP in this individual as well as characterize how the mutation may ultimately affect protein function.

Methods

We performed a complete ophthalmologic examination of the proband followed by exome sequencing. The likely causative mutation was identified and modeled in cultured cells, evaluating its expression, solubility (both with western blotting), subcellular distribution, (confocal microscopy), and testing whether this variant induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (quantitative PCR [qPCR] and western blotting).

Results

The proband presented with generalized and parafoveal retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) atrophy with bone spicule-like pigmentation in the midperiphery and arteriolar attenuation. Optical coherence tomography scans through the macula of both eyes showed atrophy of the outer retinal layers with loss of the ellipsoid zone, whereas the systemic examination of this individual was normal. The proband's parents and sibling were asymptomatic and had normal funduscopic examinations. We discovered a novel homozygous p.Pro388Ser mutation in the tubby-like protein 1 (TULP1) gene in the individual with RP. In cultured cells, the P388S mutation does not alter the subcellular distribution of TULP1 or induce ER stress when compared to wild-type TULP1, but instead significantly lowers protein stability as indicated with steady-state and cycloheximide-chase experiments.

Conclusions

These results add to the list of known mutations in TULP1 identified in individuals with RP and suggest a possible unique pathogenic mechanism in TULP1-induced RP, which may be shared among select mutations in TULP1.

SUBMITTER: Woodard DR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8056470 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:PURPOSE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP; MIM 268000) is a hereditary disease characterized by poor night vision and progressive loss of photoreceptors, eventually leading to blindness. This degenerative process primarily affects peripheral vision due to the loss of rods. Autosomal recessive RP (arRP) is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. It has been associated with mutations in different genes, including CRB1 (crumbs homolog 1). The aim of this study was to determine the causative gene in a Tunisian patient with arRP born to non-consanguineous parents. METHODS: Four accessible family members were included. They underwent full ophthalmic examination with best-corrected Snellen visual acuity, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Haplotype analysis was used to evaluate homozygosity in the family to 20 arRP loci. All exons and intron-exon junctions of candidate genes not excluded by haplotype analysis were PCR amplified and directly sequenced. RESULTS: The proband was a 43-year-old female patient. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/63 (right eye) and 20/80 (left eye). Visual loss began during the third decade. Funduscopic examination and fluorescein angiography revealed typical advanced RP changes with bone spicule-like pigment deposits in the posterior pole and the midperiphery along with retinal atrophy, narrowing of the vessels, and waxy optic discs. Haplotype analysis revealed homozygosity with microsatellite markers D1S412 and D1S413 on chromosome 1q31.3. These markers flanked CRB1. Our results excluded linkage of all the other arRP loci/genes tested. Sequencing of the 12 coding exons and splice sites of CRB1 disclosed a homozygous missense mutation in exon 7 at nucleotide c. 2291G>A, resulting in an arginine to histidine substitution (p.R764H). CONCLUSIONS: R764H is a novel mutation associated with CRB1-related arRP. Previously, an R764C mutation was reported. Extending the mutation spectrum of CRB1 with additional families is important for genotype-phenotype correlations and characterization of the scope of mutation.