0000000001144909
AUTHOR
Nicole Weisschuh
Deletion of myosin VI causes slow retinal optic neuropathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)-relevant retinal phenotype
The unconventional myosin VI, a member of the actin-based motor protein family of myosins, is expressed in the retina. Its deletion was previously shown to reduce amplitudes of the a- and b-waves of the electroretinogram. Analyzing wild-type and myosin VI-deficient Snell’s Waltzer mice in more detail, the expression pattern of myosin VI in retinal pigment epithelium, outer limiting membrane, and outer plexiform layer could be linked with differential progressing ocular deficits. These encompassed reduced a-waves and b-waves and disturbed oscillatory potentials in the electroretinogram, photoreceptor cell death, retinal microglia infiltration, and formation of basal laminar deposits. A pheno…
Expanding the clinical spectrum of COL1A1 mutations in different forms of glaucoma
Background Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and early onset glaucomas are one of the major causes of children and young adult blindness worldwide. Both autosomal recessive and dominant inheritance have been described with involvement of several genes including CYP1B1, FOXC1, PITX2, MYOC and PAX6. However, mutations in these genes explain only a small fraction of cases suggesting the presence of further candidate genes. Methods To elucidate further genetic causes of these conditions whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in an Italian patient, diagnosed with PCG and retinal detachment, and his unaffected parents. Sanger sequencing of the complete coding region of COL1A1 was performed in…