University of Leeds researchers have used next-generation DNA sequencing techniques to discover what causes a rare form of inherited eye disorders, including cataracts and glaucoma, in young children.
The findings should make it easier to identify families with this condition who are at risk of conceiving children with severely impaired vision, so they can receive appropriate genetic counselling. The work, co-led with colleagues at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, may also lead to new treatments for adults and children with this form of inherited blindness.
The researchers looked at DNA from three unrelated families. All families had members with a history of poor vision from birth, linked to problems with the eye's lens and cornea. Together, the lens and cornea make up the clear 'window' at the front of the eye. But if these structures do not develop correctly then this 'window' can become cloudy, making it difficult to see clearly. If the problems are not treated, they can get worse leading to glaucoma and eventually blindness.
Dr Manir Ali and colleagues discovered that all of the various family members with impaired vision had defects in an antioxidant protein known as peroxidasin that makes up part of the lens and cornea. They concluded that these defects are responsible for causing cataracts and glaucoma in children with this rare form of inherited eye disorders.
"We know that in healthy eyes, peroxidasin acts as a first line of defence against the damage that ultraviolet radiation and sunlight does to our skin. It may also help protect against cataracts in older people," Dr Ali said. "Our findings imply that this same protein is essential for the normal development of the lens and surrounding structures at the front of the eye."
Full details of the study are published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.
The discovery was made using next generation DNA sequencing, a new way of reading genes quickly and spotting errors that cause inherited diseases. Dr Ali and colleague now plan to use the same approach to screen all the eyes genes at once, so that all patients with inherited blindness can find out exactly what is causing their illness and can be given the appropriate treatment.
"This DNA sequencing technology looks set to revolutionise the medical world, giving patients and their doctors more information than ever before about their genetic make-up and how it can affect their health and response to treatment," Dr Ali said.
University of Leeds researchers received funding from the Wellcome Trust, the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, and Yorkshire Eye Research. The work was also supported by The Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, and The Eye Foundation and Sight for All.
Further information from:
Paula Gould, University of Leeds press office: Tel +44 (0)113 343 8059, email p.a.gould@leeds.ac.uk
Notes for editors
1. The paper, 'Homozygous mutations in peroxidasin (PXDN) cause congenital cataract, corneal opacity and developmental glaucoma', is published online in the American Journal of Human Genetics (DOI 10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.08.005). Copies are available from Mary Beth O'Leary (moleary@cell.com) and Elisabeth Lyons (elyons@cell.com).
2. The work was jointly directed by Dr Manir Ali (University of Leeds, UK) and Associate Professor Jamie Craig (Flinders Medical Centre, Australia).
3. One of the UK's largest medical, health and bioscience research bases, the University of Leeds delivers world leading research in medical engineering, cancer, cardiovascular studies, epidemiology, molecular genetics, musculoskeletal medicine, dentistry, psychology and applied health. Treatments and initiatives developed in Leeds are transforming the lives of people worldwide with conditions such as diabetes, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. www.leeds.ac.uk
4. The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust's breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests. www.wellcome.ac.uk
5. YER Yorkshire Eye Research has funded over 25 eye research projects based in Yorkshire since its launch ten years ago. All projects are peer-reviewed and meet UK ethical standards. Yorkshire Eye Research mainly supports clinical research and all researchers supported by the charity work with patients. YER is based at St James's University Hospital in Leeds and is a branch of the National Eye Research Centre (NERC) registered charity No. 294087. For more information contact Susannah Voke on +44 (0)113 206 5047 or info@yorkshireeyeresearch.org.uk .
Journal
American Journal of Human Genetics