GUCY2D Gene

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1		Dean Liu	+ 494 word(s)	494	2020-12-15 07:55:40

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gucy2d

Guanylate cyclase 2D, retinal

genes

1. Introduction

The GUCY2D gene provides instructions for making a protein that plays an essential role in normal vision. This protein is found in the retina, which is the specialized tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and color. Within the retina, the GUCY2D protein is located in light-detecting cells called photoreceptors. The retina contains two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Rods are needed for vision in low light, while cones are needed for vision in bright light, including color vision.

The GUCY2D protein is involved in a process called phototransduction. When light enters the eye, it stimulates specialized pigments in photoreceptor cells. This stimulation triggers a series of chemical reactions that produce an electrical signal, which is interpreted by the brain as vision. Once photoreceptors have been stimulated by light, they must return to their resting (or "dark") state before they can be stimulated again. The GUCY2D protein is involved in a chemical reaction that helps return photoreceptors to their dark state after light exposure.

2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

2.1. Cone-rod dystrophy

At least 10 mutations in the GUCY2D gene have been identified in people with a vision disorder called cone-rod dystrophy. The problems associated with this condition include a loss of visual sharpness (acuity), an increased sensitivity to light (photophobia), and impaired color vision. These vision problems worsen over time.

The mutations that cause cone-rod dystrophy occur in one of the two copies of the GUCY2D gene in each cell. These mutations are responsible for about one-quarter of the cases of a form of the condition called autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy. Most of these mutations affect a particular protein building block (amino acid) in the GUCY2D protein, replacing the amino acid arginine at position 838 with one of several other amino acids. These genetic changes impair normal phototransduction, causing the photoreceptor cells to deteriorate over time. The loss of these cells leads to the progressive vision problems characteristic of cone-rod dystrophy.

2.2. Leber congenital amaurosis

More than 160 mutations in the GUCY2D gene have been found to cause Leber congenital amaurosis, a condition characterized by vision loss beginning in infancy. Mutations in this gene account for 6 to 21 percent of all cases of this condition.

The mutations that cause Leber congenital amaurosis occur in both copies of the GUCY2D gene in each cell. Most of these genetic changes lead to an abnormally short, nonfunctional version of the GUCY2D protein. A lack of this protein prevents photoreceptor cells from returning to their dark state after they are exposed to light. As a result, the process of phototransduction is almost totally shut down, leading to severe visual impairment beginning very early in life.

Other Names for This Gene

CORD6
CYGD
guanylate cyclase 2D, membrane (retina-specific)
GUC1A4
GUC2D
GUC2D_HUMAN
LCA1
RCD2
retGC
RETGC-1
RETGC1
retinal guanylyl cyclase 1
rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclase
ROS-GC
ROS-GC1
ROSGC

References

Boulanger-Scemama E, El Shamieh S, Démontant V, Condroyer C, Antonio A,Michiels C, Boyard F, Saraiva JP, Letexier M, Souied E, Mohand-Saïd S, Sahel JA, Zeitz C, Audo I. Next-generation sequencing applied to a large French cone andcone-rod dystrophy cohort: mutation spectrum and new genotype-phenotypecorrelation. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2015 Jun 24;10:85. doi:10.1186/s13023-015-0300-3.
Hanein S, Perrault I, Olsen P, Lopponen T, Hietala M, Gerber S, Jeanpierre M, Barbet F, Ducroq D, Hakiki S, Munnich A, Rozet JM, Kaplan J. Evidence of afounder effect for the RETGC1 (GUCY2D) 2943DelG mutation in Leber congenitalamaurosis pedigrees of Finnish origin. Hum Mutat. 2002 Oct;20(4):322-3.
Ito S, Nakamura M, Ohnishi Y, Miyake Y. Autosomal dominant cone-rod dystrophy with R838H and R838C mutations in the GUCY2D gene in Japanese patients. Jpn JOphthalmol. 2004 May-Jun;48(3):228-35.
Kitiratschky VB, Wilke R, Renner AB, Kellner U, Vadalà M, Birch DG, Wissinger B, Zrenner E, Kohl S. Mutation analysis identifies GUCY2D as the major generesponsible for autosomal dominant progressive cone degeneration. InvestOphthalmol Vis Sci. 2008 Nov;49(11):5015-23. doi: 10.1167/iovs.08-1901.
Payne AM, Morris AG, Downes SM, Johnson S, Bird AC, Moore AT, Bhattacharya SS,Hunt DM. Clustering and frequency of mutations in the retinal guanylate cyclase(GUCY2D) gene in patients with dominant cone-rod dystrophies. J Med Genet. 2001Sep;38(9):611-4.
Rozet JM, Perrault I, Gerber S, Hanein S, Barbet F, Ducroq D, Souied E,Munnich A, Kaplan J. Complete abolition of the retinal-specific guanylyl cyclase (retGC-1) catalytic ability consistently leads to leber congenital amaurosis(LCA). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001 May;42(6):1190-2.
Ugur Iseri SA, Durlu YK, Tolun A. A novel recessive GUCY2D mutation causingcone-rod dystrophy and not Leber's congenital amaurosis. Eur J Hum Genet. 2010Oct;18(10):1121-6. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2010.81.

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Subjects: Genetics & Heredity

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Dean Liu

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Entry Collection: MedlinePlus

Update Date: 22 Dec 2020

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