A novel PAX6 nonsense mutation identified in an Iranian family with various eye anomalies

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to detect the genetic defects in a large pedigree of affected individuals with various phenotypes of ocular anomalies including partial aniridia, congenital cataract, and nystagmus. METHODS: The entire coding region of paired box gene 6 (PAX6) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequenced, and compared with a GenBank database. RESULTS: A novel mutation (c.1170 C > T; p.Gln297X) was found in the proband and all affected members. This nonsense mutation leads to PAX6 protein truncation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that this novel mutation is most likely responsible for the pathogenesis of the congenital aniridia, cataract, and nystagmus in this pedigree. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this mutation of PAX6 gene in a kindred pedigree with various ocular abnormalities.