Identification of a Novel Oligomerization Disrupting Mutation in CRYΑA Associated with Congenital Cataract in a South Australian Family

Kate Laurie, Alpana Dave, Tania Straga, Emmanuelle Souzeau, Timothy Chataway, Matthew Sykes, T Casey, T Teo, John Pater, Jamie Craig, Shiwani Sharma, Kathryn Burdon

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    28 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Congenital cataract is a heterogeneous disorder causing severe visual impairment in affected children. We screened four South Australian families with autosomal dominant congenital cataract for mutations in 10 crystallin genes known to cause congenital cataract. We identified a novel segregating heterozygous mutation, c.62G>A (p.R21Q), in the CRYΑA gene in one family. Western blotting of proteins freshly extracted from cataractous lens material of the proband demonstrated a marked reduction in the amount of the high-molecular-weight oligomers seen in the lens material of an unaffected individual. We conclude that the p.R21Q mutation, which is located in the highly conserved and structurally significant N-terminal region of the protein, is responsible for the cataract phenotype observed in the family as this mutation likely reduces the formation of the functional oligomeric alpha-crystallin.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)435-438
    Number of pages4
    JournalHuman Mutation
    Volume34
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013

    Keywords

    • Cataract
    • Crystallin
    • Genetics
    • Ocular lens
    • Oligomerization
    • Protein analysis

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Identification of a Novel Oligomerization Disrupting Mutation in CRYΑA Associated with Congenital Cataract in a South Australian Family'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this