Identification of novel PIKFYVE gene mutations associated with Fleck corneal dystrophy

PURPOSE: To report the identification of a novel frameshift mutation and copy number variation (CNV) in PIKFYVE in two probands with fleck corneal dystrophy (FCD). METHODS: Slit-lamp examination was performed to identify characteristic features of FCD. After genomic DNA was collected, PCR amplification and automated sequencing of all 41 exons of PIKFYVE was performed. Using genomic DNA, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect CNVs within PIKFYVE. RESULTS: In the first FCD proband, numerous panstromal punctate opacities were observed in each of the proband’s corneas, consistent with the diagnosis of FCD. Screening of PIKFYVE demonstrated a novel heterozygous frameshift mutation in exon 19, c.3151dupA, which is predicted to encode for a truncated PIKFYVE protein, p.(Asp1052Argfs*18). This variant was identified in an affected sister but not in the proband’s unaffected mother or brother or 200 control chromosomes. The second FCD proband presented with bilateral, discrete, punctate, grayish-white stromal opacities. Exonic screening of PIKFYVE revealed no causative variant. However, CNV analysis demonstrated the hemizygous deletion of exons 15 and 16. CONCLUSIONS: We report a novel heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.3151dupA) and a CNV in PIKFYVE, representing the first CNV and the fifth frameshift mutation associated with FCD.