Author/Editor		Karas, N; Gobec, L; Pfeifer, V; Mlinar, B; Battelino, T; Lukač-Bajalo, J
Title		Mutations in galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase gene in patients with idiopathic presenile cataract
Type		članek
Source		J Inherit Metab Dis
Vol. and No.		Letnik 26
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 699-704
Language		eng
Abstract		Impaired activity of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) has been proposed as a risk factor for idiopathic presenile cataract. A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the three most common mutations in the GALT gene (Q188R, K285N and N314D, including its variant Duarte-2) in a group of Slovenian patients with idiopathic presenile cataract. GALT activity was determined in the erythrocytes of 30 cataract patients. DNA was isolated from their blood and analysed for Q188R, K285N and N314D mutations and IVS5-24G>A variation by means of polymerase chain reaction and digestion with restriction enzymes. The average GALT activity of the cataract group was 19.5+-4.9 U/g Hb, which is lower than the normal range (p=0.034). Frequencies of Q188R, K285N, N314D and Duarte-2 alleles in the cataract group were 0.00%, 5.0%, 11.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Only the frequency of the K285N mutation was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.0244). Our results support the reported association of decreased GALT activity with idiopathic presenile cataract. Molecular analysis indicates that, in the Slovenian population, this association is linked to the K285N mutation, which is neonatally benign in heterozygotes.
Descriptors		CATARACT ALLELES GLUCOSEPHOSPHATE URIDYLYLTRANSFERASE MUTATION DNA SEX FACTORS ADULT MIDDLE AGE GALACTOSEMIA POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION