Glaucoma-causing myocilin mutants require the Peroxisomal targeting signal-1 receptor (PTS1R) to elevate intraocular pressure

Hum Mol Genet. 2007 Mar 15;16(6):609-17. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddm001. Epub 2007 Feb 22.

Abstract

Glaucoma is a leading cause of worldwide irreversible visual impairment and blindness and is a clinically and genetically heterogenous group of optic neuropathies. Specific mutations in the myocilin (MYOC) gene cause primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) with varying age-of-onset and degree of severity. We show a mutation-dependent, gain-of-function association between human myocilin and the peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 receptor (PTS1R). There was correlation between the glaucoma phenotype and the specific MYOC mutations, with the more severe early-onset POAG mutations having a higher degree of association with PTS1R. Expression of human myocilin glaucomatous mutations in mouse eyes causes elevated intraocular pressure, which is a major phenotype of MYOC glaucoma. This is the first demonstration of a disease resulting from mutation-induced exposure of a cryptic signaling site that causes mislocalization of mutant protein to peroxisomes and the first disease-gene-based animal model of human POAG.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / genetics
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Eye / physiopathology
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / genetics*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / metabolism
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / physiopathology
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure*
  • Mice
  • Peroxisome-Targeting Signal 1 Receptor
  • Peroxisomes / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • PEX5 protein, human
  • Peroxisome-Targeting Signal 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • trabecular meshwork-induced glucocorticoid response protein