Congenital cataracts due to a novel 2‑bp deletion in CRYBA1/A3

Congenital cataracts, which are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of eye disorders, lead to visual impairment and are a significant cause of blindness in childhood. A major proportion of the causative mutations for congenital cataracts are found in crystallin genes. In the present study, a novel deletion mutation (c.590‑591delAG) in exon 6 of CRYBA1/A3 was identified in a large family with autosomal dominant congenital cataracts. An increase in local hydrophobicity was predicted around the mutation site; however, further studies are required to determine the exact effect of the mutation on βA1/A3‑crystallin structure and function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between a frameshift mutation in exon 6 of CRYBA1/A3 and congenital cataracts.