Encyclopedia
myocilin
- genes
1. Introduction
The MYOC gene provides instructions for producing a protein called myocilin. Myocilin is found in certain structures of the eye, called the trabecular meshwork and the ciliary body, that regulate the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). It is also found in various types of muscle. Myocilin's function is not well understood, but it may help to control the intraocular pressure through its action in the muscle tissue of the ciliary body.
Researchers believe that myocilin functions together with other proteins as part of a protein complex. Myocilin may interact with a number of other proteins including a form of the cytochrome P450 protein, the product of the CYP1B1 gene. Like myocilin, this protein is found in the trabecular meshwork, ciliary body, and other structures of the eye.
2. Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
2.1. Early-onset glaucoma
Approximately 10 percent to 33 percent of people with juvenile open-angle glaucoma have mutations in the MYOC gene. MYOC gene mutations have also been detected in some people with primary congenital glaucoma. More than 40 MYOC gene mutations have been identified.
Mutations in the MYOC gene may alter the myocilin protein so that its interactions with other proteins are impeded. Defective myocilin that is not incorporated into protein complexes may accumulate in the trabecular meshwork and ciliary body. The excess protein may prevent sufficient flow of fluid from the eye, resulting in increased intraocular pressure and causing the signs and symptoms of early-onset glaucoma.
Individuals with mutations in both the MYOC and CYP1B1 genes may develop glaucoma at an earlier age than do those with mutations in only one of the genes.
2.2. Other disorders
A small percentage of individuals with late-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common adult form of glaucoma, have mutations in the MYOC gene. Most cases of this condition, however, are caused by other diseases, aging, and lifestyle factors such as smoking.
3. Other Names for This Gene
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GLC1A
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GPOA
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JOAG
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JOAG1
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MYOC_HUMAN
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myocilin, trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response
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TIGR
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trabecular meshwork-induced glucocorticoid response protein
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/myoc
References
- Bayat B, Yazdani S, Alavi A, Chiani M, Chitsazian F, Tusi BK, Suri F,Narooie-Nejhad M, Sanati MH, Elahi E. Contributions of MYOC and CYP1B1 mutations to JOAG. Mol Vis. 2008 Mar 13;14:508-17.
- Chen Y, Jiang D, Yu L, Katz B, Zhang K, Wan B, Sun X. CYP1B1 and MYOCmutations in 116 Chinese patients with primary congenital glaucoma. ArchOphthalmol. 2008 Oct;126(10):1443-7. doi: 10.1001/archopht.126.10.1443.
- Joe MK, Sohn S, Hur W, Moon Y, Choi YR, Kee C. Accumulation of mutantmyocilins in ER leads to ER stress and potential cytotoxicity in human trabecularmeshwork cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2003 Dec 19;312(3):592-600.
- Kanagavalli J, Pandaranayaka E, Krishnadas SR, Krishnaswamy S, Sundaresan P. Areview of genetic and structural understanding of the role of myocilin in primaryopen angle glaucoma. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2004 Dec;52(4):271-80. Review.
- Kaur K, Reddy AB, Mukhopadhyay A, Mandal AK, Hasnain SE, Ray K, Thomas R,Balasubramanian D, Chakrabarti S. Myocilin gene implicated in primary congenital glaucoma. Clin Genet. 2005 Apr;67(4):335-40.
- Kong TH. Post-transcriptional modification of the gene genetically linked tojuvenile open-angle glaucoma; novel transcripts in human ocular tissues. Gene.2001 Dec 12;280(1-2):115-22.
- Polansky JR, Fauss DJ, Zimmerman CC. Regulation of TIGR/MYOC gene expressionin human trabecular meshwork cells. Eye (Lond). 2000 Jun;14 ( Pt 3B):503-14.
- Polansky JR. Current perspectives on the TIGR/MYOC gene (Myocilin) andglaucoma. Ophthalmol Clin North Am. 2003 Dec;16(4):515-27, v-vi. Review.
- Ray K, Mukhopadhyay A, Acharya M. Recent advances in molecular genetics ofglaucoma. Mol Cell Biochem. 2003 Nov;253(1-2):223-31. Review.
- Vincent AL, Billingsley G, Buys Y, Levin AV, Priston M, Trope G, Williams-Lyn D, Héon E. Digenic inheritance of early-onset glaucoma: CYP1B1, a potentialmodifier gene. Am J Hum Genet. 2002 Feb;70(2):448-60.
- Weisschuh N, Schiefer U. Progress in the genetics of glaucoma. Dev Ophthalmol.2003;37:83-93. Review.
- WuDunn D. Genetic basis of glaucoma. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2002Apr;13(2):55-60. Review.
