A NOVEL CYS-214-SER MUTATION IN THE PERIPHERIN RDS GENE IN A JAPANESEFAMILY WITH AUTOSOMAL-DOMINANT RETINITIS-PIGMENTOSA

We have screened for possible disease-causing mutations in the periphe rin/retinal degeneration slow (RDS) gene in 13 Japanese families with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, a novel mu tation at codon 214 was found in which the highly conserved cysteine w as replaced with a serine in one family. The mutation at codon 214 was found in all three affected siblings of this family, but none of the 40 normal control individuals had this mutation. These results strongl y suggest that the mutation is pathogenic for RP in this family. The c linical phenotype for this family is a late-onset form of ADRP.