A new locus for dominant "zonular pulverulent" cataract, on chromosome 13

Inherited cataract is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous disease that most often presents as a congenital autosomal dominant trait. Here we report the linkage of a new locus for dominant "zonular pulverulent" cataract (CZP) to chromosome 13. To map the CZP locus we performed molecular-genetic linkage analysis using microsatellite markers in a five-generation English pedigree. After exclusion of eight known loci and several candidate genes for autosomal dominant cataract, we obtained significantly positive LOD scores (Z) for markers D13S175 (maximum Z [Zmax] = 4.06; maximum recombination frequency [theta max] = 0) and D13S1236 (Zmax = 5.75, theta max = 0). Multipoint analysis gave Zmax = 6.62 (theta max = 0) at marker D13S175. Haplotype data indicated that CZP probably lies in the centromeric region of chromosome 13, provocatively close to the gene for lens connexin46.