Wolfram综合征一家系的临床及遗传学分析

目的:研究由WFS1基因突变所导致的常染色体隐性遗传Wolfram综合征的临床特征和遗传学背景。方法:应用临床检查,基因分析和生物信息学方法研究一常染色体隐性遗传Wolfram综合征家系。结果:发现先证者及哥哥患糖尿病、色弱及视神经病变,此外其兄患尿崩症。全外显子组分析显示在兄弟二人的WFS1基因8号外显子存在两种杂合变异,即c.941G>A(p.W314X)和c.2309T>G(p.F770C),并在该家系中与临床表型共分离。结论:WFS1基因的复合杂合突变与该家系Wolfram综合征相关,其中c.941G>A(p.W314X)尚未见报道。     

一个X-连锁隐性遗传视网膜色素变性家系的RPGR基因新突变

目的 研究X-连锁隐性遗传视网膜色素变性(RP)家系RPGR基因突变男性患者和女性携带者的临床表型.方法 家系调查研究.收集RP先证者及其家系资料,完善眼科检查,抽取现存77名家系成员和80名正常对照者外周静脉血,提取DNA,进行聚合酶链反应(PCR),扩增RPGR基因外显子ORF15,扩增产物纯化后直接测序.结果 RP家系中,8例RP患者均为男性,呈隔代传递,不存在男性至男性的传递,患者的母亲及女儿都是致病基因携带者而不发病,符合X-连锁隐性遗传方式.在8例男性RP患者和14例女性致病基因携带者的RPGR基因外显子ORF15+577_578位点发现一个AG缺失突变,引起阅读框架的改变,该基因缺失突变在家系中共分离.AG缺失突变导致男性患者典型的RP改变,但发病时间和进展程度不一.携带有杂合型基因突变的14例女性携带者最具特征性的临床表型是中高度近视眼(-5.00～-22.00 D).结论 该RP家系患者由RPGR 基因外显子ORF15移码突变致g.ORF15+577_578delAG位点缺失.RPGR基因外显子ORF15的新突变可导致男性患者严重的RP表型,但女性致病基因携带者仅表现为中高度近视眼.(中华眼科杂志,2011,47:516-520)

Abstract：

Objective To screen the mutation in the RPGR gene in a large Chinese family with X-linked recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and to describe the phenotype in affected males and female carriers. Methods Ophthalmic examinations were performed in 77 family members of a RP pedigree to identify affected individuals. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing were used for screening of mutations in RPGR gene exon ORF15. Results Mutation screening demonstrated a novel mutation, g.ORF15+577_ 578delAG, which caused an open reading frameshift and resulted in premature truncation of the RPGR protein. This mutation was detected in 8 affected male individuals and 14 obligate female carriers in this family and was found to segregate with the phenotype in this family. This mutation led to a severe RP phenotype in male affected individuals with some variability in the age of onset of night blindness and loss of visual acuity, but was recessive in female carriers without a RP phenotype. However the most striking phenotypic feature in female carriers in this pedigree was moderate to high myopia with refractive error ranging from -5.00 D to -22.00 D in 14 female carriers. Conclusions This novel mutation in RPGR ORF15 causes serious RP phenotype in males and no RP phenotype in female carriers. Moderate to high myopia was a particular feature for female carriers in this pedigree. Our finding expands the spectrum of RPGR mutations causing RP and phenotypic spectrum of the disease in Chinese family, which is useful for further genetic consultation and genetic diagnosis.     

2型Usher综合征和视网膜色素变性家系USH2A基因突变及临床表型分析

目的观察2型Usher综合征(USH2)和视网膜色素变性(RP)患者的基因突变型及其临床表型。方法2018年8月至2019年1月于河南省立眼科医院就诊的USH2和RP 3个家系的4例患者和11名正常家系成员纳入研究。详细询问病史并行视力、眼底彩色照相、OCT、视野、全视野ERG检查。3个家系中,家系1为USH2;家系2、3为RP。采集患者及其家系成员外周静脉血,提取全基因组DNA,应用基于靶向捕获的二代测序技术进行基因测序,对可疑致病突变位点通过Sanger进行验证,并在家系成员中进行共分离。结果家系1先证者除眼底有RP表现外,同时合并神经性耳聋。基因检测结果显示,先证者USH2A基因第64、5号外显子分别存在c.13877-13880 del AGAC(p.Q4626P)(M1)、c.798 del T(p.F266L)(M2)2个杂合性移码突变。家系2、3先证者仅有眼底典型RP表现。基因检测结果显示,家系2先证者USH2A基因第70、37、29号外显子分别存在c.15178T>c(p.S5060P)(M3)、c.6986C>A(p.P2329H)(M4)2个杂合性错义突变和c.5836C>T(p.R1946X)(M5)终止突变。家系3先证者USH2A基因第67、57号外显子分别存在c.14951C>T(p.P4984L)(M6)、c.11156G>A(p.R3719H)(M7)2个杂合性错义突变。保守性分析结果显示,USH2A p.Q4626P、p.F266L、p.S5060P、p.P2329H、p.P4984L所对应的氨基酸位点在多个物种中均高度保守。检测出的7个致病突变中,M1~M4、M6为新发现突变位点。结论USH2A基因突变是导致USH2和非综合征性RP的主要原因;不同突变位点影响蛋白质翻译和合成,导致不同临床表型。     

一先天性无虹膜家系PAX6基因遗传筛查及临床表型

目的探讨我国常染色体显性遗传先天性无虹膜一家系患者的致病基因突变位点及其临床表型。方法实验研究。于南京医科大学第一附属医院眼科收集一先天性无虹膜家系,共8名家庭成员,其中3名患者,2名正常同胞,3名配偶。完善该家系内所有参与者的眼科检查,采集该家系成员的外周静脉血,提取基因组DNA,扩增PAX6基因的全部编码区及外显子-内含子交界区剪切位点附近的序列,直接测序法确定该家系的致病突变。结果遗传学筛查结果证实该家系的致病突变为位于PAX6基因第7号外显子与第7号内含子交接处的杂合突变（c.357+5G>A）。生物信息学分析结果表明该突变可导致正常剪切位点的缺失,产生移码突变,形成截短蛋白p.Ser121Asnfs*30。该家系中3例患者均表现出典型的先天性无虹膜症的临床表型,表现为虹膜发育不全,与此同时,该家系内患者还具有上睑下垂、白内障、眼球震颤、青光眼及玻璃体混浊等眼部异常。结论PAX6 c.357+5G>A杂合突变为该家系的致病突变,是该家系发生先天性无虹膜及上睑下垂、白内障、眼球震颤、青光眼及玻璃体混浊等一系列临床表型的主要致病原因。     

中国北方一先天性白内障家系GJA8基因新突变

目的　对一个中国先天性白内障家系进行分子遗传学研究，并分析其基因型与表型相关性。方法　对该家系采集详细的病历资料，并进行全面的眼科检查，采集外周血并提取DNA。用二代测序方法对可能致病基因进行测序，对发现的变异通过Sanger测序法进行DNA序列分析。结果　在先证者的GJA8基因第二外显子中发现了一个杂合错义突变［c.199G>T］(p.Asp67Tyr)，这一突变也存在于该家系的其他白内障成员中，在正常亲属中未发现相同改变。该家系先证者IV2表现为双眼晶状体全白色混浊，其母III3表现为双眼点状晶状体混浊。结论　在一个中国先天性白内障家系中，发现GJA8基因新致病突变（c.199G>T），拓宽了GJA8基因的突变谱，有助于加深对先天性白内障发病机制的认识。     

回旋状脉络膜视网膜萎缩一家系的新型突变与临床观察

目的：探讨一个回旋状脉络膜视网膜萎缩(GA)中国家系各家庭成员OAT基因的致病性突变及临床表现。

方法：对该家系中的6名家庭成员均进行详细的眼科检查,通过全外显子组测序、生物信息学分析及Sanger验证明确基因测序结果及致病性突变。

结果：先证者因其临床表现及体征诊断为GA。全外显子组测序结果显示先证者OAT基因分别于第6外显子和第10外显子上发现致病突变c.722C>T(p.P241L)、c.1186C>T(p.R396X),该复合杂合性突变在家系中呈现共分离状态。先证者的父亲和哥哥均检出杂合型p.R396X致病变异,母亲检出杂合型p.P241L致病变异。除先证者外,其他家庭成员均无临床症状。

结论：该家系的先证者为复合杂合性突变,其中p.P241L为首次报道的基因突变类型。这一研究结果扩大了OAT基因变异的范围,有利于在分子基础水平进一步理解GA的致病因素。新型突变类型的发现与证实也将有助于为GA的临床诊断和基因治疗提供新的依据。     

青少年型神经元蜡样脂褐质沉积症的基因诊断

目的对疑似青少年型神经元蜡样脂褐质沉积症(JNCL)患者进行临床症状及遗传分析,检测其基因型及临床表型,寻求以眼科表现为首发症状的JNCL患者精确诊断的线索。方法采用病例对照研究方法,纳入2013和2017年在温州医科大学附属眼视光医院就诊的2个汉族疑似JNCL家系,收集患者眼部及全身病史资料及家系信息,测定受检者最佳矫正视力(BCVA),采用彩色眼底照相和光相干断层扫描(OCT)检查患者眼底表现,采用视觉电生理检查评估患者视觉功能变化。采集该2个家系3例首诊于眼科的疑似JNCL患者及5名健康家系成员的血液标本各3 ml,并提取DNA,应用高通量测序法筛选致病基因,针对检测出的变异位点进行生物信息学分析、Sanger测序验证以及家系共分离。结果所有患者眼底均呈现典型牛眼征以及视网膜色素紊乱,OCT影像显示外层视网膜明显变薄。2个家系均在CLN3基因上检测到致病突变,F1家系2位患者为c.154T>C(p.Y52H)和c.982G>C(p.A328P)复合杂合突变,其中c.982G>C(p.A328P)位点为本研究首次报道;F2家系先证者为c.906+5G>A剪切位点纯合突变,此位点为已知致病位点。家系共分离以及全面的致病性分析显示,F1家系复合杂合突变以及F2家系剪切位点纯合突变是导致其表型的遗传学病因。结论本研究发现了JNCL家系的一个新突变,丰富了CLN3基因的突变谱。高通量测序以及Sanger直接测序技术对于JNCL的精确诊断、指导个性化治疗以及判断预后非常重要。     

应用新一代目标区域捕获测序揭示视网膜色素变性患者的EYS基因突变

目的应用新一代测序技术研究一例散发视网膜色素变性（RP）患者的致病基因突变位点及其临床表型。方法实验研究。 收集一散发的RP家系,共3名家庭成员参与研究。其中1名患者,2名正常家属。采集3 ml外周静脉血,提取基因组DNA,运用目标区域捕获测序技术来筛查目前已报道的201个遗传性视网膜疾病的致病基因,测序结果运用生物信息学分析得到候选基因,最后用Sanger测序验证。结果临床检查结果显示患者呈现典型的RP临床症状。遗传学筛查结果证实患者在EYS基因上存在2个复合杂合突变：1个杂合的错义突变（c.6416G>A,p.C2139Y）,1个杂合的无义突变（c.8012T>A,p.L2671X）。Sanger测序结果证实为阳性并且分别遗传自父亲母亲,为常染色体隐性遗传。EYS基因被报道为RP的主要致病基因之一。结论本例患者的EYS基因存在2个杂合突变,是导致RP的致病原因。     

Ⅱ型Usher综合征或39型视网膜色素变性患者的临床表型、致病基因与新突变位点分析

目的　观察Ⅱ型Usher综合征（USH2）或39型视网膜色素变性患者的临床表型,分析患者的致病基因与新突变位点。方法　收集临床诊断为USH2或39型视网膜色素变性患者的相关资料和样本,进行全外显子测序,对测序结果进行分析后锁定致病基因与突变位点,并用Sanger测序验证其突变位点。结果　本研究共收集5例患者,来自于3个不同家系,测序数据解读结果显示USH2A基因为5例患者的致病基因,在USH2A基因上共检出3个纯合突变。先证者1（F1-Ⅱ1）及其患病的弟弟（F1-Ⅱ2）在USH2A基因上均存在c.8232G>C (p.W2744C)(M1)纯合突变。先证者2（F2-Ⅱ1）和其患病的妹妹（F2-Ⅱ2）则在USH2A基因上均存在c.8559-2A>G(M2)纯合突变。先证者3（F3-Ⅱ1）在USH2A基因上发现c.12778C>T（p.Q4260X）(M3)纯合突变。其中所发现的M3突变为首次报道。结论　USH2A基因突变是导致USH2和39型视网膜色素变性的主要致病原因,USH2A基因突变所致疾病具有典型的遗传异质性和临床异质性,不同的突变所致疾病表型存在差异。     

靶向序列捕获联合高通量测序检测先天性眼外肌纤维化的致病基因突变

目的 对中国人先天性眼外肌纤维化（CFEOM）家系和散发个体进行致病基因突变筛查。 设计 实验研究。研究对象 6个CFEOM家系和4个CFEOM散发个体。 方法 收集CFEOM患者的临床及眼运动神经MRI检查资料,采集患者及家庭成员外周静脉血,提取基因组DNA,应用目标序列捕获联合高通量测序的方法对11个疾病候选基因进行全部外显子的突变筛查。生物信息学分析得到候选基因碱基改变后,在100个无关正常对照人群中进行PCR和Sanger测序验证并对基因型和表型特征进行分析。主要指标 基因序列。 结果 80% （8/10）CFEOM先证者存在KIF21A基因突变,分别为c.2860C>T（p.R954W）和c.2861G>A（p.R954Q）;20%（2/10）先证者存在TUBB3基因突变,分别为c.784C>T （p.R262C）和c.1138C>T （p.R380C）。所有突变在家系正常个体及正常对照人群中均未检测到。携带KIF21A基因突变的患者表现为CFEOM1A和CFEOM3B表型,而携带TUBB3基因突变的患者表现出CFEOM3A表型。结论 KIF21A基因突变是中国人CFEOM的常见致病原因。高通量基因筛查可快速、准确地协助疾病的临床诊断和基因分型。（眼科,2016, 25： 400-404）     

A novel RPGR exon ORF15 mutation in a family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and Coats'-like exudative vasculopathy

PURPOSE: To describe the ophthalmic and genetic findings in a family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Coats'-like exudative vasculopathy. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Family members underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. Leukocyte genomic DNA samples were obtained and screened for RPGR (RP3) mutations by direct polymerase chain reaction sequencing. RESULTS: The proband had RP with bilateral Coats'-like vasculopathy and was treated with fluorescein-potentiated argon laser therapy. The findings in two other affected male patients and three obligate carrier female patients were within the clinical spectrum of a typical X-linked-recessive RP. A novel nonsense RPGR exon ORF15 mutation (912G>T) was found to segregate with RP in this family. CONCLUSIONS: This report expands the clinical heterogeneity spectrum caused by RPGR mutations and our knowledge concerning the molecular pathologic condition that pertains to Coats'-like RP. Consistent with the literature, Coats' response was not observed in all family members who were affected by RP, which suggests the involvement of other genetic and/or environmental factors.     

Genetic analysis of Chinese families reveals a novel truncation allele of the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene

AIM: To make comprehensive molecular diagnosis for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients in a consanguineous Han Chinese family using next generation sequencing based Capture-NGS screen technology. METHODS: A five-generation Han Chinese family diagnosed as non-syndromic X-linked recessive RP (XLRP) was recruited, including four affected males, four obligate female carriers and eleven unaffected family members. Capture-NGS was performed using a custom designed capture panel covers 163 known retinal disease genes including 47 RP genes, followed by the validation of detected mutation using Sanger sequencing in all recruited family members. RESULTS: Capture-NGS in one affected 47-year-old male reveals a novel mutation, c.2417_2418insG:p.E806fs, in exon ORF15 of RP GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene results in a frameshift change that results in a premature stop codon and a truncated protein product. The mutation was further validated in three of four affected males and two of four female carriers but not in the other unaffected family members. CONCLUSION: We have identified a novel mutation, c.2417_2418insG:p.E806fs, in a Han Chinese family with XLRP. Our findings expand the mutation spectrum of RPGR and the phenotypic spectrum of XLRP in Han Chinese families, and confirms Capture-NGS could be an effective and economic approach for the comprehensive molecular diagnosis of RP.     

A novel mutation of RPGR in a Chinese family with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa

AIM: To identify potential mutations and elucidate the clinical findings of male patients and female carriers of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) in a Chinese family. METHODS: A four generation pedigree was collected that consisted of 20 individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and then the target fragments were amplified by PCR and sequenced directly. In addition, all affected patients and female carriers underwent comprehensively ophthalmic evaluation. RESULTS: A novel mutation c.2865G>A p.W955X in RPGR gene was identified of this family, including four affected individuals and eight carriers. All male patients, aging from 7 to 31y, tended to have more various, even potentially deleterious clinical features of RP. At the same time, individuals with heterozygous mutations (carriers) manifested a wide spectrum of clinical features. Herein, only two male patients and three female carriers manifested pathological myopia (PM). Among the female carriers, half of subjects who harbor poor visual acuity suffered esotropia or exotropia. Additionally, 16.7% and 66.7% of carriers had abnormal electroretinogram (ERG) and fundus, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, a novel mutation of the RPGR gene is identified, which broadens the spectrum of RPGR mutations, and elaborates the relationship between genotype and phenotype.     

X-linked retinitis pigmentosa: RPGR mutations in most families with definite X linkage and clustering of mutations in a short sequence stretch of exon ORF15

PURPOSE: A comprehensive screening was conducted for RP2 and retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene mutations including RPGR exon ORF15 in 58 index patients. The frequency of RPGR mutations was assessed in families with definite X-linked recessive disease (xlRP), and a strategy for analyzing the highly repetitive mutational hot spot in exon ORF15 is provided. METHODS: Fifty-eight apparently unrelated index-patients were screened for mutations in all coding exons of the RP2 and the RPGR genes, including splice-sites, by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, except for RPGR exon ORF15. A strategy for directly sequencing the large repetitive stretch of exon ORF15 from a 1.6-kb PCR-product was developed. According to pedigree size and evidence for X linkage, families were subdivided into three categories. RESULTS: Screening of 58 xlRP families revealed RP2 mutations in 8% and RPGR mutations in 71% of families with definite X-linked inheritance. Mutations clustered within a approximately 500-bp stretch in exon ORF15. In-frame sequence alterations in exon ORF15 ranged from the deletion of 36 bp to the insertion of 75 bp. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in the RPGR gene are estimated to cause 15% to 20% of all cases of RP, higher than any other single RP locus. This report provides a detailed strategy to analyze the mutational hot spot in RPGR exon ORF15, which cannot be screened by standard procedures. The discrepancy of the proportion of families linked to the RP3 locus and those having RPGR mutations is resolved in a subset of families with definite X linkage.     

Whole-exome sequencing identifies novel mutations in genes responsible for retinitis pigmentosa in 2 nonconsanguineous Chinese families

AIM: To detect the pathogenetic mutations responsible for nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in 2 nonconsanguineous Chinese families. METHODS: The clinical data, including detailed medical history, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp biomicroscope examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, static perimetry, and full field electroretinogram, were collected from the members of 2 nonconsanguineous Chinese families preliminarily diagnosed with RP. Genomic DNA was extracted from the probands and other available family members; whole-exome sequencing was conducted with the DNA samples provided by the probands, and all mutations detected by whole-exome sequencing were verified using Sanger sequencing in the probands and the other available family members. The verified novel mutations were further sequenced in 192 ethnicity matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The patients from the 2 families exhibited the typical symptoms of RP, including night blindness and progressive constriction of the visual field, and the fundus examinations showed attenuated retinal arterioles, peripheral bone spicule pigment deposits, and waxy optic discs. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a novel nonsense mutation in FAM161A (c.943A>T, p.Lys315*) and compound heterozygous mutations in RP1L1 (c.56C>A, p.Pro19His; c.5470C>T, p.Gln1824*). The nonsense c.5470C>T, p.Gln1824* mutation was novel. All mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. The mutation p.Lys315* in FAM161A co-segregated with the phenotype, and all the nonsense mutations were absent from the ethnicity matched healthy controls and all available databases. CONCLUSION: We identify 2 novel mutations in genes responsible for autosomal recessive RP, and the mutation in FAM161A is reported for the first time in a Chinese population. Our result not only enriches the knowledge of the mutation frequency and spectrum in the genes responsible for nonsyndromic RP but also provides a new target for future gene therapy.     

Identification of novel RPGR ORF15 mutations in X-linked progressive cone-rod dystrophy (XLCORD) families

PURPOSE: To test the incidence of mutations in RPGR ORF15 in six families with X-linked progressive retinal degeneration (cone-rod dystrophy [XLCORD], macular or cone dystrophy) and to undertake a detailed phenotypic assessment of families in whom ORF15 mutations were identified. METHODS: To amplify and sequence ORF15 in its entirety, a cloning strategy was developed. Families with mutations in ORF15 underwent electrophysiological testing, color vision assessment, color fundus photography, and fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging. RESULTS: Novel protein truncation mutations were identified in two families. In family A, a 2-bp mutation was identified in ORF15+A1094C G1095T, predicted to result in a truncated protein (E364D/E365X). In family B, a G-to-T transversion (ORF15+1176G>T) resulted in a nonsense mutation (G392X). Characteristics of phenotype in both families included progressive deterioration of central vision and subsequently night vision, mild photophobia, and moderate to high myopia. Ophthalmoscopic abnormalities were generally confined to the macula. A parafoveal ring of increased AF was observed, and electrophysiological evidence of a greater generalized abnormality in cone than rod responses were consistent with a cone-rod dystrophy phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: The cloning strategy for ORF15 facilitated comprehensive sequence analysis in patients. Two families were identified with nonsense mutations, and clinical evaluation revealed them both to have a similar phenotype. The presence of a parafoveal ring of increased AF was an early indicator of affected status in these families. No disease-causing mutations in ORF15 were detected in four other families, suggesting that ORF15 mutations may not be the most common cause of XLCORD.     

Intrafamilial phenotypic variability in families with RDS mutations: exclusion of ROM1 as a genetic modifier for those with retinitis pigmentosa

OBJECTIVES: To identify suspected RDS mutations in families in which different people have been identified with either generalised retinal dystrophy or macular dystrophy. METHODS: Two families with a retinal dystrophy were extensively phenotyped and blood was taken for mutation analysis of the RDS (all) and ROM1 (retinitis pigmentosa patients only) genes. RESULTS: A novel p.Trp94X mutation in RDS was found in all three affected members of a two-generation family that was associated with retinitis pigmentosa in the son, pattern dystrophy in the daughter and fundus flavimaculatus in the mother. In the second family, the proband with retinitis pigmentosa carried a p.Arg220Trp mutation. The mother, who was unavailable for mutation screening, had adult vitelliform macular dystrophy. No ROM1 mutations were found in those with retinitis pigmentosa in either family. CONCLUSION: Mutations in RDS can be associated with an intrafamilial variation in retinal disease. The phenotypes range from Stargardt-like macular dystrophy to classic retinitis pigmentosa. Clinical relevance: Intrafamilial phenotypic variation may be due to the presence of environmental or genetic modifying factors. The presence of a modifying-sequence change in the coding region of ROM1 for two people with retinitis pigmentosa from two families with intrafamilial variation in RDS mutation phenotype has been excluded in this study.     

Wilson's disease: presymptomatic patients and Kayser-Fleischer rings

Purpose: To describe new disease-causing RP2 and RPGR-ORF15 mutations and their corresponding clinical phenotypes in Swedish families with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) and to establish genotype-phenotype correlations by studying the clinical spectrum of disease in families with a known molecular defect. Methods: Seventeen unrelated families with RP and an apparent X-linked pattern of disease inheritance were identified from the Swedish RP registry and screened for mutations in the RP2 and RPGR (for the RP3 disease) genes. These families had been previously screened for the RPGR exons 1–19, and disease-causing mutations were identified in four of them. In the remaining 13 families, we sequenced the RP2 gene and the newly discovered RPGR-ORF exon. Detailed clinical evaluations were then obtained from individuals in the three families with identified mutations. Results: Mutations in RP2 and RPGRORF15 were identified in three of the 13 families. Clinical evaluations of affected males and carrier females demonstrated varying degrees of retinal dysfunction and visual handicap, with early onset and severe disease in the families with mutations in the ORF15 exon of the RPGR gene. Conclusions: A total of seven mutations in the RP2 and RPGR genes have been discovered so far in Swedish XLRP families. All affected individuals express a severe form of retinal degeneration with visual handicap early in life, although the degree of retinal dysfunction varies both in hemizygous male patients and in heterozygous carrier females. Retinal disease phenotypes in patients with mutations in the RPGR-ORF15 were more severe than in patients with mutations in RP2 or other regions of the RPGR .