Apples for Health- Study identifies cause of glaucoma

Study identifies cause of glaucoma

HOUSTON, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists said they have discovered a receptor's role as a cause of certain eye diseases, including glaucoma.

The researchers at the Texas A&M University's Institute of Biosciences and Technology said their finding might lead to development of new eye disease treatments.

"G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate a variety of physiological functions, from vision, olfaction, taste and reproductive biology to cardiovascular functions," said Professor Mingyao Liu, senior author of the study. "GPCRs are the largest membrane receptor family in the human genome. Our study focuses on Gpr48, a new hormone receptor in animals and humans."

The scientists found Gpr48 plays an important role in anterior segment development and is also key in various physiological functions throughout the body. Deletion of the Gpr48 receptor in mice resulted in various forms of anterior segment dysgenesis, including microphthalmia (small eyes), iris hypoplasia (underdeveloped iris), iridiocorneal angle malformation (irregular angle of the iris and cornea), cornea dysgenesis (clouding of the cornea) and cataracts.

Future research could validate Gpr48 as a potential therapeutic target, Liu said.
The research is to appear in a future issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is currently available at the journal's Web site.

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