However, considering that the encoded protein is normal and that a 50% decrease in Cx46 or Cx50 in mouse lenses does not affect transparency, one could speculate that mutations in the non-coding regions may affect the level of expression of the connexin to a value that is insufficient to cause cataracts early in life but the sustained alteration over long periods of time becomes more significant and leads to opacities. This evidence concerns the gene GJA3 and cataract.