Square lens and cataract in a child with a de novo MAF gene mutation
Fig. 1: Anterior segment photograph under mydriasis following deep sclerectomy and corneal clearing. Full size image Square-shaped lens contour reflecting severe zonular dysgenesis, central cataract, iris hypoplasia, and anterior segment dysgenesis caused by a heterozygous de novo c.559_561del (p.H187del) mutation in the MAF gene (MAF bZIP transcription factor). The MAF gene is essential for embryonic lens development, regulating cell morphology, tissue architecture, and protein production; the lens is highly sensitive to reductions in MAF -dependent crystallin levels.
Authors
- Konrad Schargel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8550-0455)
- Gorka Sesma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4320-448X)
- Khaled Abu-Amero
Institutions
- King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (SA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Eye
- Published
- 2026-07-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-026-04764-y
- Primary Topic
- Connexins and lens biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00