Background: Congenital cataract is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide, often caused by genetic mutations that disrupt lens transparency. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which crystallin beta B1 (CRYBB1) mutation contributes to cataract formation.
Methods: We identified a novel heterozygous deletion mutation (c.688_733del) in CRYBB1 in a Chinese Han family with autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataract. Functional assays were conducted in human lens epithelial cells to assess effects on cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Mechanistic studies evaluated activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathways.
Results: The c.688_733del mutation disrupts conserved domains essential for βB1-crystallin protein folding and stability. Mutant protein impaired cell proliferation and migration, induced G1 cell cycle arrest, and significantly increased apoptosis. Elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species were observed, triggering mitochondrial apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 imbalance and caspase-3 activation.
Conclusion: Oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis is a key pathogenic mechanism in CRYBB1-related cataractogenesis. These findings expand the CRYBB1 mutational spectrum and provide a molecular basis for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12886-026-04624-z.
Keywords: CRYBB1 gene mutation; Congenital cataract; Mitochondrial apoptosis; Reactive oxygen species; βB1-crystallin.