GLAUCOMA GENE- trabecular meshwork protein (TIGR).

//////////Primary type of the open angle glaucoma is likely to be due to a heterogeneous group of disorders that is induced due to the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. In the January 31 issue of Science, Stone et al, report on the identification of a gene linked to open angle glaucoma. Sequence tagged site (STS) and haplotype sharing between families who had chromosome 1q-linked open angle glaucoma were used to identify the gene. The search led to the identification of mutations in a gene that encodes for a trabecular meshwork protein (TIGR). Three separate mutations (Gly35Val, Gln361STOP, Tyr430His) were found to be present in 4.4% of patients with familial glaucoma, and in 3.9% of unselected patients with glaucoma. The same mutations were found only in 0.3% of the general population and none in the normal volunteers. It is proposed that the product of TIGR may lead to an increased intra-ocular pressure by the obstruction of the aqueous outflow. The findings should facilitate developing accurate, inexpensive pre-symptomatic testing for identification of patients at risk of the disease.


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