Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Implantation of Total Artificial Heart in Congenital Heart Disease
Published on: July 18, 2014
Missense mutation in SLIT2 associated with congenital myopia, anisometropia, connective tissue abnormalities, and
Katherine Y Liu1, Jesse D Sengillo2,3, Gabriel Velez4,5,6
1Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Background:
SLIT2 is a protein ligand for the Roundabout (ROBO) receptor and was found to play a major role in repulsive midline axon guidance in central nervous system development. Based on studies utilizing knockout models, it has been postulated that SLIT2 is important for preventing inappropriate axonal routing during mammalian optic chiasm development.
Methods:
Case report.
Results:
Here, we report a case of congenital myopia, anisometropia, and obesity in a patient with a SLIT2 point mutation. Examination of the patient's skin biopsy revealed abnormalities in elastin and collagen fibrils that suggest an underlying connective tissue disorder. Structural modeling placed the novel mutation (p.D1407G) in the EGF-like domain 8 and was predicted to affect interactions with SLIT2 binding partners.
Conclusions:
To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a SLIT2 variant in the context of these ocular findings.
Related Concept Videos
Mutations
Introduction to Connective Tissues
Classification of Connective Tissues
Connective Tissue Proper
Connective tissue proper is the most abundant class of connective tissues. As its name implies, it predominantly connects different tissues in the body. Depending on the cell types, ground substance, viscosity, and fiber types in the ECM, connective tissue proper is further categorized into loose and dense....
Embryonic Connective Tissues
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development.
Dense Connective Tissue
Dense Regular Connective Tissue
In dense regular connective tissue, fibers are arranged parallel to each other, enhancing its tensile strength and resistance to stretching in the direction of the fiber orientations. Ligaments and tendons are made of dense regular...
Functions of Connective Tissues
Hard connective tissues, such as bones and cartilage, provide structure and support to the body.

