Reduced corneal thickness and enlarged anterior chamber in a novel ColVIIIa2G257D mutant mouse.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was the morphologic and genetic characterization of the novel eye size mutant Aca23 in the mouse.


METHODS
The eyes of the mutants were characterized in vivo by optical low-coherence interferometry, Scheimpflug imaging, and funduscopy. Visual acuity was examined using a virtual optomotor system. Morphology was studied by histology, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Linkage analysis was performed using genomewide scans with single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellite markers.


RESULTS
Aca23 is a new semidominant eye size mutant that was discovered in an ENU mutagenesis screen. The phenotype includes increased anterior chamber depths, extended axial lengths, and reduced thickness of corneal layers. Aca23 was mapped to chromosome 4. A G-->A point mutation was identified at cDNA position 770 of Col8a2 encoding collagen VIII alpha2. The transition results in a G257D amino acid exchange affecting a highly conserved glycine residue in the collagenous domain. Proliferation of corneal endothelium, eye fundus, and visual acuity are not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
The mouse mutant Aca23 described here offers the first point mutation of the Col8a2 gene in the mouse. The results of this study suggest that a functional collagen VIII alpha2 is essential for the correct assembly of the Descemet's membrane and for corneal stability. Aca23 might be used as a novel model for keratoglobus.
Puk
Oliver
O
Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany. oliver.puk@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Dalke
Claudia
C
Calzada-Wack
Julia
J
Ahmad
Nafees
N
Klaften
Matthias
M
Wagner
Sibylle
S
de Angelis
Martin Hrabé
MH
Graw
Jochen
J
D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D024102:Collagen Type VIII / Q000235:genetics*; D003315:Cornea / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea / Q000633:toxicity; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007368:Interferometry; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D000477:Alkylating Agents; C507463:Col8a2 protein, mouse; D024102:Collagen Type VIII; D005038:Ethylnitrosourea