A novel mutation in the connexin 46 (GJA3) gene associated with congenital cataract in a Chinese pedigree.
Λέξεις-κλειδιά
Αφηρημένη
OBJECTIVE
To identify the potential pathogenic mutation in a three-generation Chinese family with congenital nuclear pulverulent cataracts.
METHODS
A three-generation pedigree was recruited for our study. Three patients and four healthy members of the family underwent a comprehensive clinical examination. Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and the exons of all candidate genes were sequenced.
RESULTS
When sequencing the encoding regions of the candidate genes, a novel mutation (c.559C>T) was identified in the gap junction protein alpha 3 (GJA3) gene, which resulted in the substitution of highly conserved proline by serine at codon 187 (P187S). There was no noticeable nucleotide polymorphism in other candidate genes. The mutation co-segregated with all patients, but was absent in the healthy members and 100 normal individuals.
CONCLUSIONS
The present study identified a novel mutation (c.559C>T) in the GJA3 gene associated with autosomal dominant pulverulent cataracts in a Chinese family. As the first report to relate p.P187S mutation in GJA3, it expands the mutation spectrum of GJA3 in association with congenital cataracts.
