Mapping of a novel locus for achromatopsia (ACHM4) to 1p and identification of a germline mutation in the alpha subunit of cone transducin (GNAT2)

Objective: To determine the molecular basis for achromatopsia using autozygosity mapping and positional candidate gene analysis.

Design and methods: A large consanguineous Pakistani family containing six subjects with autosomal recessive complete achromatopsia was ascertained. After excluding linkage to the two known achromatopsia genes (CNGA3 and CNGB3), a genome wide linkage screen was undertaken.

Results: Significant linkage was detected to a 12 cM autozygous segment between markers D1S485 and D1S2881 on chromosome 1p13. Direct sequence analysis of the candidate gene GNAT2 located within this interval identified a frameshift mutation in exon 7 (c842_843insTCAG; M280fsX291) that segregated with the disease.

Conclusions: The GNAT2 gene codes for cone alpha-transducin, the G protein that couples the cone Pigments to cGMP-phosphodiesterase in phototransduction. Although cone alpha-transducin has a fundamental role in cone phototransduction, mutations in GNAT2 have not been described previously. Since mutations in the CNGA3 gene may cause a variety of retinal dystrophies (complete and incomplete achromatopsia and progressive cone dystrophy), GNAT2 mutations may also prove to be implicated in other forms of retinal dystrophy with cone dysfunction.