α-Crystallin is the principal lens protein which, in addition to its structural role, also acts as a molecular chaperone, to prevent aggregation and precipitation of other lens proteins. One of its two subunits, αBcrystallin, is also expressed in many non-lenticular tissues, and a natural missense mutation, R120G, has been associated with cataract and desminrelated myopathy, a disorder of skele...

PURPOSE The R120G mutation of alphaB-crystallin is known to cause desmin-related myopathy, but the mechanisms underlying the formation of cataract are not clearly established. We hypothesize that alteration of protein-protein interaction between R120G alphaB-crystallin and lens intermediate filament proteins is one of the mechanisms of congenital cataract. METHODS Protein-protein interactions...

PURPOSE We previously reported the differential expression and translation of mRNA and protein in dark- and light-adapted octopus retinas, which may result from cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE)-dependent mRNA masking and unmasking. Here we investigate the presence of CPEs in alpha-tubulin and S-crystallin mRNA and report the identification of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding...

AIMS The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of alpha-B-crystallin and p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS Alpha-B-crystallin and p53 expressions from 118 HNSCC were studied by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS Alpha-B-crystallin expression was seen in 28% (n = 33) of HNSCC. All except one poorly differe...

To investigate whether αB-crystallin protects against acute retinal ischemic reperfusion injury (I/R) and elucidate the potential antioxidant mechanisms. Retinal I/R injury was made by elevating the intraocular pressure (IOP) 110 mmHg for 60 min, and αB-crystallin (1 × 10-5 g/L) or vehicle solution was administered intravitreously immediately after I/R injury. The animal was sacrificed 24 h, 1 ...

Relationships between αB-crystallin expression patterns and pathological changes of myocardial cells after heat stress were examined in vitro and in vivo in this study using the H9C2 cell line and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Histopathological lesions, characterized by acute degeneration, karyopyknosis and loss of a defined nucleus, became more severe in rat hearts over the course of heat...

PURPOSE Cataracts can be broadly divided into two types: congenital cataracts and age-related cataracts. DeltaG91 is a previously discovered congenital mutation in betaA3-crystallin that impairs protein solubility. On the other hand, the deamidation of beta-crystallin is a significant feature in aged and cataractous lenses. Several deamidation sites were also identified in betaA3-crystallin. Th...

BACKGROUND The small heat shock proteins HSP20, HSP25, alphaB-crystallin, and myotonic dystrophy kinase binding protein (MKBP) may regulate dynamic changes in the cytoskeleton. For example, the phosphorylation of HSP20 has been associated with relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. This study examined the function of HSP20 in heart muscle. METHODS AND RESULTS Western blotting identified immuno...

m a-Crystallins were demonsl:rated recently to be involved fin interaction with a short element of the sense strand of the murine yDE/F-ctystallin genes immediately downstresm of the transcriptional initiation site @OTIS). The aim of the study was to demonstrate a consensus sequence and to test, if the interaction with a-crystallin is dependent on phospholylation. M&&& 3*P-labelled oligonucleot...

To determine the molecular mechanisms for cold cataract formation in the nucleus of the young mammalian lens, we have investigated the thermally reversible opacification of gamma-crystallin solutions isolated from calf lens. Coexistence curves (plots of opacification temperature Tc versus protein concentration) were determined for the individual gamma-crystallin fractions II, III, and IV as wel...