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The official name of this gene is “transforming growth factor, beta-induced, 68kDa.”
TGFBI is the gene's official symbol. The TGFBI gene is also known by other names, listed below.
The TGFBI gene provides instructions for making a protein called transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI). This protein is released (secreted) from cells and becomes part of the extracellular matrix, which is an intricate network that forms in the spaces between cells and provides structural support to tissues. The TGFBI protein is thought to play a role in the attachment of cells to one another (cell adhesion) and cell movement (migration). This protein is found in many tissues in the body, including the the clear, outer covering of the eye (the cornea).
At least 26 mutations in the TGFBI gene can cause lattice corneal dystrophy type I. This inherited eye condition is characterized by a lattice-like accumulation of proteins (called amyloid deposits) that form in the cornea. These deposits cloud the cornea and lead to vision impairment in affected individuals. The cornea is made up of several layers of tissue. In lattice corneal dystrophy type I, the deposits occur in the stromal layer of the cornea and contain altered TGFBI proteins.
The TGFBI gene mutations involved in lattice corneal dystrophy type I change single protein building blocks (amino acids) in the TGFBI protein. The most common mutation replaces the amino acid arginine with the amino acid cysteine at position 124 (written as Arg124Cys or R124C). When the condition is caused by this mutation, it is often called classic lattice corneal dystrophy type I. Altered TGFBI proteins abnormally clump together and form amyloid deposits. However, it is unclear how the changes caused by the gene mutations induce the protein to form these deposits.
TGFBI gene mutations are involved in a number of other types of corneal dystrophy, including Groenouw corneal dystrophy, Avellino corneal dystrophy, lattice corneal dystrophy type IIIA, Reis-Bucklers corneal dystrophy, Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy, and epithelial basement membrane corneal dystrophy. Corneal dystrophies are all characterized by the accumulation of protein deposits in the cornea, which leads to vision impairment. These deposits form in various shapes and patterns and occur in different layers of the cornea, which help define the different types of corneal dystrophies.
The TGFBI gene mutations that cause these conditions change single amino acids in the TGFBI protein. Most mutations alter the amino acids found at positions 124 and 555 of the protein, although other amino acid changes can also occur. Certain mutations are strongly associated with particular corneal dystrophies. For instance, the mutation that replaces the amino acid arginine at position 124 with the amino acid histidine (written as Arg124His) most often causes Avellino corneal dystrophy. The mutation that replaces the amino acid arginine at position 124 with the amino acid lysine (written as Arg124Lys) most often causes Reis-Bucklers corneal dystrophy. The mutation that replaces the amino acid arginine at position 555 with the amino acid glutamine (written as Arg555Gln) most often causes Thiel-Behnke corneal dystrophy. And, the mutation that replaces the amino acid arginine at position 555 with the amino acid tryptophan (written as Arg555Trp) most often causes Groenouw corneal dystrophy.
Cytogenetic Location: 5q31
Molecular Location on chromosome 5: base pairs 135,364,583 to 135,399,506
The TGFBI gene is located on the long (q) arm of chromosome 5 at position 31.
More precisely, the TGFBI gene is located from base pair 135,364,583 to base pair 135,399,506 on chromosome 5.
See How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/howgeneswork/genelocation) in the Handbook.
You and your healthcare professional may find the following resources about TGFBI helpful.
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for genetics professionals and researchers.
See How are genetic conditions and genes named? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/mutationsanddisorders/naming) in the Handbook.
acids ; amino acid ; amyloid ; cell ; cell adhesion ; collagen ; cornea ; epithelial ; extracellular ; extracellular matrix ; gene ; growth factor ; mutation ; protein ; tissue
You may find definitions for these and many other terms in the Genetics Home Reference Glossary (http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/glossary).
The resources on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Users seeking information about a personal genetic disease, syndrome, or condition should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. See How can I find a genetics professional in my area? (http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/consult/findingprofessional) in the Handbook.