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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Angela Pyle, Dr Helen GriffinORCiD, Dr Miranda Splitt, Professor Patrick Chinnery
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Blindness due to retinal degeneration affects millions of people worldwide, but many disease-causing mutations remain unknown. PNPLA6 encodes the patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein 6, also known as neuropathy target esterase (NTE), which is the target of toxic organophosphates that induce human paralysis due to severe axonopathy of large neurons. Mutations in PNPLA6 also cause human spastic paraplegia characterized by motor neuron degeneration. Here we identify PNPLA6 mutations in childhood blindness in seven families with retinal degeneration, including Leber congenital amaurosis and Oliver McFarlane syndrome. PNPLA6 localizes mostly at the inner segment plasma membrane in photo-receptors and mutations in Drosophila PNPLA6 lead to photoreceptor cell death. We also report that lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidic acid levels are elevated in mutant Drosophila. These findings show a role for PNPLA6 in photoreceptor survival and identify phospholipid metabolism as a potential therapeutic target for some forms of blindness.
Author(s): Kmoch S, Majewski J, Ramamurthy V, Cao S, Fahiminiya S, Ren H, MacDonald IM, Lopez I, Sun V, Keser V, Khan A, Stranecky V, Hartmannova H, Pristoupilova A, Hodanova K, Piherova L, Kuchar L, Baxova A, Chen R, Barsottini OGP, Pyle A, Griffin H, Splitt M, Sallum J, Tolmie JL, Sampson JR, Chinnery P, Banin E, Sharon D, Dutta S, Grebler R, Helfrich-Foerster C, Pedroso JL, Kretzschmar D, Cayouette M, Koenekoop RK, Care4Rare Canada
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2015
Volume: 6
Online publication date: 08/01/2015
Acceptance date: 21/10/2014
ISSN (electronic): 2041-1723
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6614
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6614
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