Increased biosynthesis of specific glycoconjugates in rat corneal epithelium following treatment with vitamin A.

The biosynthesis of corneal epithelial proteins and glycoconjugates and their response to vitamin A were measured in vitamin A-deficient and normal rats. The synthesis of specific high-molecular-weight epithelial glycoconjugates was directly related to the levels of vitamin A administered. Protein synthesis, however, remained unaltered. Since vitamin A is known to reverse the keratinization process, the vitamin A-regulated high-molecular-weight glycoconjugates may play a role in modulating the expression of the keratinizing phenotype.