Loss of the metalloprotease ADAM9 leads to cone-rod dystrophy in humans and retinal degeneration in mice

Am J Hum Genet. 2009 May;84(5):683-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.04.005. Epub 2009 Apr 30.

Abstract

Cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) is an inherited progressive retinal dystrophy affecting the function of cone and rod photoreceptors. By autozygosity mapping, we identified null mutations in the ADAM metallopeptidase domain 9 (ADAM9) gene in four consanguineous families with recessively inherited early-onset CRD. We also found reduced photoreceptor responses in Adam9 knockout mice, previously reported to be asymptomatic. In 12-month-old knockout mice, photoreceptors appear normal, but the apical processes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells are disorganized and contact between photoreceptor outer segments (POSs) and the RPE apical surface is compromised. In 20-month-old mice, there is clear evidence of progressive retinal degeneration with disorganized POS and thinning of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) in addition to the anomaly at the POS-RPE junction. RPE basal deposits and macrophages were also apparent in older mice. These findings therefore not only identify ADAM9 as a CRD gene but also identify a form of pathology wherein retinal disease first manifests at the POS-RPE junction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Consanguinity
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mutation
  • Pedigree
  • Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / pathology
  • Retinal Degeneration / genetics*
  • Retinal Degeneration / pathology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / pathology
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa / genetics*

Substances

  • Membrane Proteins
  • ADAM Proteins
  • ADAM9 protein, human
  • Adam9 protein, mouse