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(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 2008;49:304-309.)
© 2008 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.
DOI:  10.1167/iovs.07-0942
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Dense Nuclear Cataract Caused by the {gamma}B-Crystallin S11R Point Mutation

Lin Li,1 Bo Chang,2 Catherine Cheng,3 Da Chang,2 Norman L. Hawes,2 Chun-hong Xia,1 and Xiaohua Gong1,3

1From the Vision Science Program and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California; 2The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine; and 3UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California.

PURPOSE. To identify the causative gene mutation for a new dominant cataract in mice and to investigate the molecular basis for how the mutated gene leads to a dense nuclear cataract.

METHODS. Genomewide linkage analysis and DNA sequencing were used to determine the gene mutation. Histology, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were used to characterize lens phenotypes. Ion concentrations were measured by an inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES).

RESULTS. A point mutation (A to C) of the {gamma}B-crystallin gene, which results in the {gamma}B-S11R mutant protein, was identified in this cataractous mouse line. Homozygous mutant mice developed dense nuclear cataracts associated with disrupted inner lens fiber cells. Immunohistochemistry data revealed {gamma}-crystallin aggregates at the cell boundaries of inner mature fibers that lose actin filaments. Western blotting showed an increased degradation of crystallin proteins correlated with the nuclear cataract. ICP-OES confirmed a substantial elevation of calcium concentration in mutant lenses.

CONCLUSIONS. This dominant cataract was caused by the {gamma}B-S11R mutation. Mutant {gamma}B-S11R proteins triggered the {gamma}-crystallin aggregation that probably disrupted membrane-cytoskeleton structures of inner fiber cells, causing increased calcium influxes. Subsequent activation of calcium-dependent protein degradation and degeneration of inner mature fiber cells led to the dense nuclear cataract.






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Copyright © 2008 by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology