Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/rpgr/

RPGR gene

retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator

Normal Function

The RPGR gene provides instructions for making a protein that is essential for normal vision. Although the protein's function is not well understood, studies suggest that it plays an important role in cell structures called cilia. Cilia are microscopic, finger-like projections that stick out from the surface of many types of cells. They are involved in cell movement and many different chemical signaling pathways. Cilia are also necessary for the perception of sensory input, including hearing, smell, and vision.

Several different versions (isoforms) of the RPGR protein are produced from the RPGR gene. One version contains a segment known as the ORF15 exon. This version of the RPGR protein is active (expressed) predominantly in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Specifically, the ORF15-containing isoform is found in the retina's specialized light receptor cells (photoreceptors). Researchers suspect that this isoform may help maintain photoreceptors by regulating the function of cilia. Other isoforms of the RPGR protein are expressed in other parts of the body, where they are probably also involved in cilia function.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Retinitis pigmentosa

More than 300 mutations in the RPGR gene have been found to cause the X-linked form of retinitis pigmentosa. This condition primarily affects males, causing night blindness in early childhood followed by progressive daytime vision loss. RPGR gene mutations account for about 70 percent of all cases of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

Most of the mutations responsible for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa occur in the ORF15 exon of the RPGR protein. These mutations usually result in an abnormally short, malfunctioning protein. Changes in the structure of the RPGR protein likely disrupt the normal function of cilia in photoreceptor cells. However, it is unclear how these changes lead to the gradual loss of photoreceptors and resulting vision problems that are characteristic of retinitis pigmentosa.

More About This Health Condition

Cone-rod dystrophy

Mutations in the RPGR gene can cause X-linked 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 genetic changes that cause X-linked cone-rod dystrophy likely disrupt the function of cilia in photoreceptor cells. It is unclear how these changes lead to the pattern of photoreceptor loss that results in cone-rod dystrophy.

More About This Health Condition

Primary ciliary dyskinesia

MedlinePlus Genetics provides information about Primary ciliary dyskinesia

More About This Health Condition

Other disorders

Although most RPGR gene mutations cause X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (described above), a few mutations in the ORF15 exon have been found in people with other retinal disorders. These include cone-rod dystrophy (described above), cone dystrophy, and atrophic macular degeneration. These retinal disorders are characterized by progressive vision abnormalities, although their signs and symptoms are distinct from retinitis pigmentosa.

Several additional RPGR gene mutations have been reported in people with a combination of retinitis pigmentosa and signs and symptoms affecting other parts of the body. In addition to progressive vision loss, affected individuals can have chronic respiratory and sinus infections, recurrent ear infections (otitis media), and hearing loss.

It is unclear why mutations in the RPGR gene can cause a variety of disorders. Studies suggest that certain mutations may disrupt the function of cilia in multiple tissues, including the inner ear and respiratory tract. Malfunctioning cilia in these tissues may underlie the hearing loss and respiratory abnormalities seen in some affected individuals. However, researchers are still working to determine how RPGR gene mutations cause specific abnormalities involving the retina and other parts of the body.

Other Names for This Gene

  • COD1
  • CORDX1
  • CRD
  • PCDX
  • retinitis pigmentosa 15
  • retinitis pigmentosa 3 GTPase regulator
  • RP15
  • RP3
  • RPGR_HUMAN
  • X-linked retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator
  • XLRP3

Additional Information & Resources

Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry

Scientific Articles on PubMed

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

Gene and Variant Databases

References

  • Ayyagari R, Demirci FY, Liu J, Bingham EL, Stringham H, Kakuk LE, Boehnke M, Gorin MB, Richards JE, Sieving PA. X-linked recessive atrophic macular degeneration from RPGR mutation. Genomics. 2002 Aug;80(2):166-71. doi: 10.1006/geno.2002.6815. Citation on PubMed
  • Demirci FY, Rigatti BW, Wen G, Radak AL, Mah TS, Baic CL, Traboulsi EI, Alitalo T, Ramser J, Gorin MB. X-linked cone-rod dystrophy (locus COD1): identification of mutations in RPGR exon ORF15. Am J Hum Genet. 2002 Apr;70(4):1049-53. doi: 10.1086/339620. Epub 2002 Feb 20. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Ebenezer ND, Michaelides M, Jenkins SA, Audo I, Webster AR, Cheetham ME, Stockman A, Maher ER, Ainsworth JR, Yates JR, Bradshaw K, Holder GE, Moore AT, Hardcastle AJ. Identification of novel RPGR ORF15 mutations in X-linked progressive cone-rod dystrophy (XLCORD) families. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Jun;46(6):1891-8. doi: 10.1167/iovs.04-1482. Citation on PubMed
  • Iannaccone A, Breuer DK, Wang XF, Kuo SF, Normando EM, Filippova E, Baldi A, Hiriyanna S, MacDonald CB, Baldi F, Cosgrove D, Morton CC, Swaroop A, Jablonski MM. Clinical and immunohistochemical evidence for an X linked retinitis pigmentosa syndrome with recurrent infections and hearing loss in association with an RPGR mutation. J Med Genet. 2003 Nov;40(11):e118. doi: 10.1136/jmg.40.11.e118. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Moore A, Escudier E, Roger G, Tamalet A, Pelosse B, Marlin S, Clement A, Geremek M, Delaisi B, Bridoux AM, Coste A, Witt M, Duriez B, Amselem S. RPGR is mutated in patients with a complex X linked phenotype combining primary ciliary dyskinesia and retinitis pigmentosa. J Med Genet. 2006 Apr;43(4):326-33. doi: 10.1136/jmg.2005.034868. Epub 2005 Jul 31. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Murga-Zamalloa C, Swaroop A, Khanna H. Multiprotein complexes of Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR), a ciliary protein mutated in X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa (XLRP). Adv Exp Med Biol. 2010;664:105-14. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1399-9_13. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
  • Pelletier V, Jambou M, Delphin N, Zinovieva E, Stum M, Gigarel N, Dollfus H, Hamel C, Toutain A, Dufier JL, Roche O, Munnich A, Bonnefont JP, Kaplan J, Rozet JM. Comprehensive survey of mutations in RP2 and RPGR in patients affected with distinct retinal dystrophies: genotype-phenotype correlations and impact on genetic counseling. Hum Mutat. 2007 Jan;28(1):81-91. doi: 10.1002/humu.20417. Citation on PubMed
  • Shu X, Black GC, Rice JM, Hart-Holden N, Jones A, O'Grady A, Ramsden S, Wright AF. RPGR mutation analysis and disease: an update. Hum Mutat. 2007 Apr;28(4):322-8. doi: 10.1002/humu.20461. Citation on PubMed
  • Vervoort R, Lennon A, Bird AC, Tulloch B, Axton R, Miano MG, Meindl A, Meitinger T, Ciccodicola A, Wright AF. Mutational hot spot within a new RPGR exon in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. Nat Genet. 2000 Aug;25(4):462-6. doi: 10.1038/78182. Citation on PubMed
  • Wright AF, Shu X. Focus on Molecules: RPGR. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Jul;85(1):1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2006.03.006. Epub 2006 Jun 12. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
  • Yang Z, Peachey NS, Moshfeghi DM, Thirumalaichary S, Chorich L, Shugart YY, Fan K, Zhang K. Mutations in the RPGR gene cause X-linked cone dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet. 2002 Mar 1;11(5):605-11. doi: 10.1093/hmg/11.5.605. Citation on PubMed
  • Zito I, Downes SM, Patel RJ, Cheetham ME, Ebenezer ND, Jenkins SA, Bhattacharya SS, Webster AR, Holder GE, Bird AC, Bamiou DE, Hardcastle AJ. RPGR mutation associated with retinitis pigmentosa, impaired hearing, and sinorespiratory infections. J Med Genet. 2003 Aug;40(8):609-15. doi: 10.1136/jmg.40.8.609. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.