Table 1. Mutations identified in connexin 50 in association with different cataract phenotypes in different congenital cataract families.
Amino acid change |
Location/GJA8 Domain |
Cataract type |
Phenotype description |
Origin of family |
References |
p.R23T |
Cytoplasmic NH2-terminal |
Congenital nuclear |
Progressive, dense nuclear (fetal/embryonal) |
Iranian |
[23] |
p.V44E |
First transmembrane domain (M1) |
Congenital cataract and microcornea |
Total lens opacification |
Indian |
[24] |
p.W45S |
First transmembrane domain (M1) |
Jellyfish-like cataract and microcornea |
Axial lens opacity with finger-like projections extended in all directions |
Indian |
[25] |
p.D47N |
First extracellular loop (E1) |
Nuclear pulverulent |
Opacities confined to the fetal and embryonal nucleus |
English |
[26] |
p.D47Y |
First extracellular loop (E1) |
Autosomal dominant congenital cataract |
Autosomal dominant congenital cataract |
Chinese |
[27] |
p.E48K |
First extracellular loop (E1) |
Zonular nuclear pulverulent |
Non-progressive, fine dust-like opacities, more dense throughout the nucleus. Several cortical riders in the zonular region |
Pakistani |
[28] |
p.V64G |
First extracellular loop (E1) |
Congenital nuclear |
Congenital nuclear cataract |
Chinese |
[29] |
p.V79L |
Second transmembrane domain (M2) |
Full moon like with Y-sutural opacities |
Stationary cataract both Y-sutures affected. No opacities in the embryonal nucleus, fine granular white opacity outside the embryonal nucleus in the fetal nuclear region |
Indian |
[22] |
p.P88Q |
Second transmembrane domain (M2) |
Lamellar
pulverulent |
Pulverulent opacities in the fetal nucleus, embryonal nucleus clear |
English |
[20] |
p.P88Q |
Second transmembrane domain (M2) |
Balloon-like cataract with Y-sutural opacities |
Fetal nucleus and Y-sutures affected. In between the Y-sutures, feathery opacities are present. Three riders present at the perimetry of opaque fetal nucleus. No “pulverized” dust-like opacities in the lens |
Indian |
present study |
p.P88S |
Second transmembrane domain (M2) |
Zonular pulverulent |
Non-progressive innumerable powdery opacities located in the nuclear and lamellar zones. Affects both the embryonic and fetal nucleus: “total nuclear cataract” |
English |
[10] |
p.P189L |
Second extracellular loop (E2) |
Congenital cataract and microcornea |
Star shaped nuclear opacity with a whitish central core |
Danish |
[30] |
p.R198Q |
Second extracellular loop (E2) |
Cataract and microcornea |
Posterior subcapsular |
Indian |
[24] |
p.203fs |
Second extracellular loop (E2) |
Cataract and nystagmus |
Total cataract and nystagmus |
Indian |
[31] |
p.I247M |
Cytoplasmic COOH-terminus |
Zonular pulverulent |
Progressive, non homogeneous opacity consisting of opaque particles of different sizes, most of these very small, distributed unequally in a disc of 5 mm in diameter in the center of the lens. Also a slightly cloudy inhomogeneous area of 2 mm at posterior pole |
Russian |
[32] |
p.S276F | Cytoplasmic COOH-terminus | Pulverulent nuclear | White granular opacities in fetal and embryonal nucleus | Chinese | [33] |
This table provides information on specific mutations identified in different domains and regions of connexin 50 in association with congenital cataract in families belonging to different ethnic groups. Most of these mutations are missense mutations, and the cataract phenotypes are zonular/nuclear pulverulent type with powdery dust like opacities. However, the phenotype balloon-like cataract with Y-sutural opacities linked with p.P88Q substitution observed in present family had no pulverized dust like opacities in the lens. The feathery opacities in between the Y-sutural opacities and three riders at the perimetry of the opaque fetal nucleus are very much prominent in the affected lenses in the present family.