Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals a Novel Frameshift Mutation in the MERTK Gene in a Chinese Family with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited retinal diseases that result in severe progressive visual impairment. Aims: The purpose of this article was to apply targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify the causative mutation in a Chinese RP family. Methods: Blood samples were collected from a Chinese proband diagnosed with RP and her family members. A total of 163 genes that have been previously found to be involved in inherited retinal diseases were selected for NGS. Rigorous NGS data analysis; Sanger sequencing validation; and segregation analysis were applied to evaluate a novel frameshift mutation. Results: Sequence analysis revealed that the proband and her affected sister both carried a novel homozygous frameshift mutation in MERTK (p.I103Nfs*4). Other family members carrying a heterozygous mutation were unaffected. This mutation was found to cosegregate with the disease phenotype in this family. This mutation was not found in 1,000 control individuals. Conclusions: The targeted NGS strategy employed provides an efficient tool for RP pathogenic gene detection. This study identified a new autosomal recessive mutation in the RP-related gene MERTK, which expands the spectrum of RP disease-causing mutations.