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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to screen for mutations within mitochondrial creatine kinase (CKMT) genes, which encode for isoenzymes critical for high energy metabolism, such as that found in retina.Methods: DNA was extracted from lymphocytes of clinically characterized age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients (n=71). Flanking primers were used to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplify and sequence the exons, the open reading frame, and promoter regions of the CKMT1A, CKMT1B and CKMT2 genes. An additional 72 individuals with AMD were screened for the novel CKMT2 mutation in exon 4 (NM_001825.2 c.274C>T) by PCR and enzyme digestion. The RNA was extracted from cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and reverse transcript-PCR (RT-PCR) was performed with primers for the CKMT2 gene. Results:With our screening procedure, we identified 5 DNA variants in the CKMT2 gene, 2 of which were novel (NM_001825.2 c.274C>T; 92Q>X, Exon 4 and NM_001825.2.-498G>GA; 5'UTR, Exon 1). The putative termination mutation in the CKMT2 gene (NM_001825.2 c.274C>T; 92Q>X) was in a proband individual but lacking in his unaffected son and 142 unrelated AMD patients. Cultured human RPE cells can express the sarcomeric mitochondrial CKMT2 gene product. Conclusions:This is the first report of a termination mutation within the human CKMT2 gene, which is critical for transfer of high-energy phosphate from mitochondria to creatine, a cytosolic carrier. Clinically, the subject had AMD, exercise fatigue, atrial fibrillation and deafness, all of which are known to be related to mitochondrial dysfunctions. Based upon our finding, we propose this CKMT2 mutation may be a candidate gene for the phenotypes that include this quartet of symptoms.

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