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Abstract #46043 Published in IGR 13-2
Alteration of the serine protease PRSS56 causes angle-closure glaucoma in mice and posterior microphthalmia in humans and mice
Nair KS; Hmani-Aifa M; Ali Z; Kearney AL; Salem SB; MacAlinao DG; Cosma IM; Bouassida W; Hakim B; Benzina ZNature Genetics 2011; 43: 579-584
Angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is a subset of glaucoma affecting 16 million people. Although 4 million people are bilaterally blind from ACG, the causative molecular mechanisms of ACG remain to be defined. High intraocular pressure induces glaucoma in ACG. High intraocular pressure traditionally was suggested to result from the iris blocking or closing the angle of the eye, thereby limiting aqueous humor drainage. Eyes from individuals with ACG often have a modestly decreased axial length, shallow anterior chamber and relatively large lens, features that predispose to angle closure. Here we show that genetic alteration of a previously unidentified serine protease (PRSS56) alters axial length and causes a mouse phenotype resembling ACG. Mutations affecting this protease also cause a severe decrease of axial length in individuals with posterior microphthalmia. Together, these data suggest that alterations of this serine protease may contribute to a spectrum of human ocular conditions including reduced ocular size and ACG.
S. W. M. John. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States. Email: simon.john@jax.org
Classification:
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
3.4.2 Gene studies (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods > 3.4 Molecular genetics)
9.3.5 Primary angle closure (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.3 Primary angle closure glaucomas)
5.1 Rodent (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
