A novel OPA1 mutation responsible for autosomal dominant optic atrophy with high frequency hearing loss in a Chinese family

PURPOSE: To investigate the genetic findings and phenotypic characters of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). DESIGN: Case report and experimental study. METHODS: Molecular genetic analysis and clinical examinations were performed in a Chinese family with ADOA. Mutations in OPA1 were detected by direct sequencing. Haplotypes were constructed and compared with the phenotypes in the family. RESULTS: Nine family members were diagnosed with ADOA and some of them were accompanied with hearing loss and/or high myopia. A novel heterozygous mutation, c.2848_2849delGA(p.Asp950CysfsX4), was detected in all ADOA patients. The mutation and the mutation bearing haplotype cosegregated with the nine affected members. One family member had high myopia without vision or hearing loss. This patient along with unaffected ones did not harbor the mutation. CONCLUSIONS: A novel mutation, c.2848_2849delGA in OPA1, was identified in a Chinese family with ADOA. This mutation is associated with hearing loss, but likely not high myopia.