Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Novel RP1 Mutations in Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare inherited retinal dystrophies that result in a progressive loss of vision. Molecular diagnosis of RP is difficult due to its phenotypic and genetic heterogeneities. AIMS: To investigate causative genetic mutations in a collection of RP cases: one Indian and two Chinese families with autosomal-recessive RP and two sporadic patients with RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 163 genes, which have previously been found to be involved in inherited retinal disorders, were selected for targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Stringent NGS data analyses followed by confirmation using Sanger sequencing and segregation analyses were applied to evaluate all identified pathogenic mutations. RESULTS: Four novel frameshift mutations and two compound heterozygous mutations were identified in RP1. In addition, all mutations were found to co-segregate with the disease in the three familial cases; none of the mutations were detected in control samples. CONCLUSION: This study expands the mutational spectrums of RP1 for RP.