A Novel Splicing Mutation Of The Frmd7 Gene In A Chinese Family With X-Linked Congenital Nystagmus

Purpose: To identify a potential pathogenic mutation in a four-generation Chinese family with X-linked congenital nystagmus (XLCN).Methods: Routine clinical examination and ophthalmic evaluation were performed on normal controls, two patients and two healthy members of the family. Genomic DNA was prepared from the peripheral blood of members of the family and from 50 normal controls. All coding exons and the intronic boundaries of the four-point-one (4.1), ezrin, radixin, moesin (FERM) domain-containing 7 (FRMD7) gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by direct sequencing.Results: A previously unreported splicing mutation, c. 163-1 G -> T transversion (c. 163-1 G>T), was detected preceding exon3 of FRMD7 in the patients but not in the unaffected family members and 50 unrelated healthy individuals.Conclusions: We identified a novel mutation (c. 163-1 G -> T) of FRMD7 in this Chinese family with XLCN. Our finding is the first report related to c. 163-1 G -> T mutation in FRMD7. The result expands the mutation spectrum of FRMD7 in association with congenital nystagmus.