De novo intrachromosomal gene conversion from OPN1MW to OPN1LW in the male germline results in Blue Cone Monochromacy

Elena Buena-Atienza, Klaus Rüther, Britta Baumann, Richard Bergholz, David Birch, Elfride de Baere, Helene Dollfus, Marie T. Greally, Peter Gustavsson, Christian P. Hamel, John R. Heckenlively, Bart P. Leroy, Astrid S. Plomp, Jan Willem R. Pott, Katherine Rose, Thomas Rosenberg, Zornitza Stark, Joke B. G. M. Verheij, Richard Weleber, Ditta ZoborNicole Weisschuh, Susanne Kohl, Bernd Wissinger

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28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

X-linked cone dysfunction disorders such as Blue Cone Monochromacy and X-linked Cone Dystrophy are characterized by complete loss (of) or reduced L-and M-cone function due to defects in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster. Here we investigated 24 affected males from 16 families with either a structurally intact gene cluster or at least one intact single (hybrid) gene but harbouring rare combinations of common SNPs in exon 3 in single or multiple OPN1LW and OPN1MW gene copies. We assessed twelve different OPN1LW/MW exon 3 haplotypes by semi-quantitative minigene splicing assay. Nine haplotypes resulted in aberrant splicing of >= 20% of transcripts including the known pathogenic haplotypes (i.e. 'LIAVA', 'LVAVA') with absent or minute amounts of correctly spliced transcripts, respectively. De novo formation of the 'LIAVA' haplotype derived from an ancestral less deleterious 'LIAVS' haplotype was observed in one family with strikingly different phenotypes among affected family members. We could establish intrachromosomal gene conversion in the male germline as underlying mechanism. Gene conversion in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW genes has been postulated, however, we are first to demonstrate a de novo gene conversion within the lineage of a pedigree
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)28253
JournalScientific reports
Volume6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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