UNASSIGNED: We report a case of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome type 7 (HPS-7) caused by a homozygous variant in the dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 gene (DTNBP1) and highlight the genetic challenges associated with this rare disorder.
UNASSIGNED: Case report. Literature review was performed by searching PubMed on May 2023, without language or date restriction, using the following terms: Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 7, and dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 gene.
UNASSIGNED: We report a case of a 69-year-old Portuguese female who presented for ophthalmic evaluation with long-standing severe visual impairment, pronounced photophobia, right-eye esotropia, and bilateral pendular nystagmus. Anterior segment examination revealed iris transillumination defects, while the ocular fundus showed hypopigmentation and the absence of the foveal reflex. The patient had a history of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) and recurrent epistaxis. Her family history was positive for first-degree consanguineous parents and a deceased sister at young age who also exhibited OCA and recurrent epistaxis. Genetic testing identified a homozygous pathogenic nonsense variant in the DTNBP1, c.307C>T p.(Gln103*). The patient\'s clinical features and genetic testing support the diagnosis of HPS-7. The identified variant has been previously reported in the literature, in adult patients of Portuguese descent.
UNASSIGNED: This work highlights the genetic complexity of HPS-7 and emphasizes the importance of genetic testing in the diagnosis of this rare disorder. The identification of a rare pathogenic variant expands our understanding of HPS-7 genetics and suggests a possible founder effect in the Portuguese population.

Dysbindin, the product of the DTNBP1 gene, was identified by yeast two hybrid assay as a binding partner of dystrobrevin, a cytosolic component of the dystrophin protein complex. Although its functional role has not yet been completely elucidated, the finding that dysbindin assembles into the biogenesis of lysosome related organelles complex 1 (BLOC-1) suggests that it participates in intracellular trafficking and biogenesis of organelles and vesicles. Dysbindin is ubiquitous and in brain is expressed primarily in neurons. Variations at the dysbindin gene have been associated with increased risk for schizophrenia. As anomalies in retinal function have been reported in patients suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders, we investigated the expression of dysbindin in the retina. Our results show that differentially regulated dysbindin isoforms are expressed in rat retina during postnatal maturation. Interestingly, we found that dysbindin is mainly localized in Müller cells. The identification of dysbindin in glial cells may open new perspectives for a better understanding of the functional involvement of this protein in visual alterations associated to neuropsychiatric disorders.