Detection of a novel PAX6 mutation in a Chinese family with multiple ocular abnormalities
Abstract Background: Aniridia is a congenital, panocular disease affecting the cornea, anterior chamber angle, iris, lens, retina and optic nerve. PAX6 loss-of-function mutations were the most common cause of aniridia .Mutations throughout the PAX6 gene have been linked to a range of ophthalmic abnormalities, with distinct mutations at a given site within this gene leading to distinct phenotypic findings.This s tudy aimed to characterize genetic mutations associated with congenital aniridia in a Chinese family. Methods: The proband and the proband’s brother of this family underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations as well as exome sequencing, with Next Generation Sequencing being used to confirm these results. Results: A novel mutation (c.114_119delinsAATTTCC:p.Pro39fs) in the PAX6 gene was identified in subjects III-2 and III-3 in these family, and both of these subjects exhibited complete aniridia, cataracts, glaucoma, high myopia, and foveal hypoplasia. Conclusions: We identified a novel PAX6 frameshift heterozygous deletion mutation in a Chinese family and determined that this mutation was a probable cause of various eye abnormalities in carriers.