title: Hematologic biomarkers in childhood cataracts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To date, more than thirty nine genetic loci have been associated with congenital cataracts. Despite this progress, current diagnostic techniques are insufficient for unraveling the underlying genetic defect in sporadic patients and small families. In the present manuscript we demonstrate the contribution of routine laboratory tests in the search for genetic defects of childhood cataracts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two families with congenital cataracts and hematologic findings that included hyperferritinemia and the "ii" blood type underwent detailed ophthalmologic and clinical examinations. Mutation analysis of the ferritin light chain (FTL) and glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 2, I-branching enzyme (GCNT2) genes was performed in the two families, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the family with the "ii" blood group we found a novel GCNT2 mutation c.G935A (p.G312D) in the cataract patients, while in the family with hyperferritinemia cataract syndrome we identified a G→C heterozygous mutation at position +32 of FTL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hematologic biomarkers may simplify the search for the underlying molecular defect in families with congenital cataract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wussuki-Lior
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abu-Horowitz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Netzer
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Almer
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morad
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goldich
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yahalom
authors.forename: El
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pras
authors.forename: Er
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pras
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001052:Apoferritins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D002386:Cataract / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003241:Consanguinity; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019189:Iron Metabolism Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007557:Israel; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; C507433:FTL protein, human; D001052:Apoferritins; C106501:N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IGnT; D017351:N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases