Article
A mouse model of galactose-induced cataracts
22 Jul 2000
Abstract excerpt
Galactokinase (GK; EC 2.7.1.6) is the first enzyme in the metabolism of galactose. In humans, GK deficiency results in congenital cataracts due to an accumulation of galactitol within the lens. In an attempt to make a galactosemic animal model, we cloned the mouse GK gene (Glk1) and disrupted it by gene targeting. As expected, galactose was very poorly metabolized in GK-deficient mice. In addition, both galactose...