Frequencies of Q188R and N314D mutations and IVS5-24g>A intron variation in the galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) gene in the Slovenian population

Synergistic effect of high lactase activity genotype and galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) mutations on idiopathic presenile cataract formation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the possible synergistic role of partial galactose metabolism defects, high lactase (LPH) genotype and lactose and galactose ingestion in presenile cataract formation.

DESIGN AND METHODS

51 patients with idiopathic presenile cataracts and 172 healthy cataract-free subjects were genotyped to determine their galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) and LPH status. Whole milk, skimmed milk and yoghurt consumption was recorded in 19 cataract patients and 172 controls by questionnaire.

RESULTS

GALT mutations and whole milk consumption increased the risk of cataract formation in high LPH genotype group, but not in lactose intolerant subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed the synergistic effect of GALT and LPH mutations on cataract formation.

CONCLUSIONS

High lactase activity genotypes and mutations in galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase have a synergistic effect on presenile cataract formation.

Higher frequency of the galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase gene K285N mutation in the Slovenian population

OBJECTIVES

To analyze a healthy Slovenian population for the frequency of the classical galactosemia allele K285N.

DESIGN AND METHODS

DNA was analyzed by means of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS

The allele frequency of the K285N mutation in Slovenian population is 0.29%.

CONCLUSIONS

The allele frequency of the K285N mutation in Slovenian population is higher than in other Caucasian populations. K285N is one of the most frequent classical galactosemia mutations in the Slovenian population.

Galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase gene mutations in women with premature ovarian failure

We determined the frequency of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase gene mutations: Q188R, K285N, and the Duarte allelle in 86 patients with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF) and 95 controls. No association of the mutations with POF was found.

Q188R, K285N, and N314D mutation-associated alleles in the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase gene and female infertility

In a retrospective case-control study, the frequencies of Q188R, K285N, N314D, and IVS5-24G>A mutations were determined with the use of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism in the group of infertile women and the controls. No statistically significant differences were observed in the allele frequencies between the infertile women and control groups.

Mutations in galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase gene in patients with idiopathic presenile cataract

Impaired activity of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) has been proposed as a risk factor for idiopathic presenile cataract. A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the three most common mutations in the GALT gene (Q188R, K285N and N314D, including its variant Duarte-2) in a group of Slovenian patients with idiopathic presenile cataract. GALT activity was determined in the erythrocytes of 30 cataract patients. DNA was isolated from their blood and analysed for Q188R, K285N and N314D mutations and IVS5-24G>A intronic variation by means of polymerase chain reaction and digestion with restriction enzymes. The average GALT activity of the cataract group was 19.5+/-4.9 U/g Hb, which is lower than the normal range (p = 0.034). Frequencies of Q188R, K285N, N314D and Duarte-2 alleles in the cataract group were 0.00%, 5.0%, 11.7% and 3.3%, respectively. Only the frequency of the K285N mutation was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.0244). Our results support the reported association of decreased GALT activity with idiopathic presenile cataract. Molecular analysis indicates that, in the Slovenian population, this association is linked to the K285N mutation, which is neonatally benign in heterozygotes.