Mitochondrial abnormalities in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the second most common cause of blindness. It has been linked to mutations in the myocilin (MYOC) and optineurin (OPTN) genes, although mutations have been found in <5% of patients. The pathologic mechanism(s) of POAG remain unknown but may include retinal ganglion cell apoptosis, which causes progressive damage to axons at the optic nerve head.


METHODS
In 27 patients with definite POAG, the MYOC and OPTN genes were sequenced, the entire mitochondrial (mt)DNA coding region was sequenced, relative mtDNA content was investigated, and mitochondrial respiratory function was assessed.


RESULTS
Only three benign polymorphisms were identified in MYOC and OPTN in patients with POAG and in control subjects. Conversely, 27 different novel nonsynonymous mtDNA changes were found, only in patients with POAG (not control subjects), 22 of which (found in 14 patients) were potentially pathogenic. Unlike Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, most mtDNA sequence alterations in patients with POAG were transversions-sequence changes that alter the purine/pyrimidine orientation and imply oxidative stress. mtDNA content was relatively increased in 17 patients with POAG compared with age-matched control subjects, also implying a possible response to oxidative stress. Mean mitochondrial respiratory activity was decreased by 21% in patients with glaucoma compared with control subjects (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results reveal a spectrum of mitochondrial abnormalities in patients with POAG, implicating oxidative stress and implying that mitochondria dysfunction may be a risk factor for POAG. This concept may open up new experimental and therapeutic opportunities.
Abu-Amero
Khaled K
KK
Mitochondrial Research Laboratory of the Genetics Department, King Fasail Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. kamero@kfshrc.edu.sa
Morales
Jose
J
Bosley
Thomas M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D035582:Transcription Factor TFIIIA / Q000235:genetics; D000099179:Myocilin
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D005136:Eye Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D035582:Transcription Factor TFIIIA; D000099179:Myocilin; C409460:OPTN protein, human