PURPOSE To characterize the crystallin content of the zebrafish lens using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). These data will facilitate future investigations of vertebrate lens development, function, and disease. METHODS Adult zebrafish lens proteins were separated by 2-DE, and the resulting spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spe...

PURPOSE Previous theoretical and experimental studies have predicted that the loss of weak protein interactions between alpha- and gamma-crystallins could result in a decrease in the transparent properties of the aging lens. METHODS alpha-Crystallins were prepared from the nucleus of old bovine lens, and gamma-crystallins were prepared from whole fetal bovine lens or from the nucleus of old b...

alpha-Crystallin has been shown to function as a molecular chaperone in preventing thermal aggregation of crystallins and other proteins. The molecular mechanism of this protection is not yet clear. gamma-Crystallin aggregates upon exposure to UV light. We have investigated the effect of the presence of alpha-crystallin in the photoaggregation process and find that alpha-crystallin does not pre...

PURPOSE To identify the causative genetic mutation among the known cataract candidate genes underlying the observed phenotype in a Basotho family, with congenital nuclear cataracts. METHODS Because of the small family size, we used the functional candidate gene analysis approach. We screened a Basotho family, clinically documented to have congenital nuclear cataracts, for mutation in the cand...

PURPOSE AlphaB-Crystallin is a small heat shock protein (sHsp) expressed at high levels in the lens of the eye, where its molecular chaperone functions may protect against cataract formation in vivo. The purpose of this study was to identify protein targets for the sHsp alphaB-crystallin in lens cell homogenates during conditions of mild thermal stress. METHODS The authors report the use of a...

PURPOSE alpha-Crystallin belongs to a class of small heat shock proteins and is shown to prevent aggregation of several proteins. We have shown that the temperature-induced structural perturbation leads to several fold enhanced activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability and specificity of the hydrophobic sites that might become available at elevated temperatures. Sp...

A 13 kDa protein from bovine lens was identified and characterized by protein microsequencing and by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) PCR. Its complete sequence shows that this protein belongs to a family of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs), including myelin and adipocyte P2, that are associated with cellular differentiation. The bovine lens protein, designated LP2, shows very close s...

Olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus is one of the most widely cultured fish species in Korea. Although olive flounder receive attention from aquaculture and fisheries and extensive research has been conducted eye morphological change in metamorphosis, but little information was known to molecular mechanism and gene expression of eye development- related genes during the early part of eye form...

The alpha-crystallins (alpha A and alpha B) are major lens structural proteins of the vertebrate eye that are related to the small heat shock protein family. In addition, crystallins (especially alpha B) are found in many cells and organs outside the lens, and alpha B is overexpressed in several neurological disorders and in cell lines under stress conditions. Here I show that alpha-crystallin ...

PURPOSE . Peroxynitrite is a highly potent reactive oxygen/nitrogen species present in the environment and also endogenously in the eye, that causes a variety of disorders. This study was undertaken to look at the oxidative damage that peroxynitrite causes to the proteins of the lens and the functional consequences thereof. METHODS . Peroxynitrite was allowed to react with alpha-, beta-, and ...