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Structural changes in alpha-crystallin and whole eye lens during heating, observed by low-angle X-ray diffraction
Authors:Regini J W  Grossmann J G  Burgio M R  Malik N S  Koretz J F  Hodson S A  Elliott G F
Institution:The Structural Biophysics Group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK. reginijw@cardiff.ac.uk
Abstract:Whole eye lens and alpha-crystallin gels and solutions were investigated using X-ray scattering techniques at temperatures ranging from 20 degrees C to 70 degrees C. In whole lens isolated in phosphate-buffered saline, the spacing of the dominant X-ray reflection seen with low-angle scattering was constant from 20 degrees C to 45 degrees C but increased at 50 degrees C from 15.2 nm to 16.5 nm. At room temperature, the small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern of the intact lens was very similar to the pattern of alpha-crystallin gels at near-physiological concentration (approximately 300 mg/ml), so it is reasonable to assume that the alpha-crystallin pattern dominates the pattern of the intact lens. Our results therefore indicate that in whole lens alpha-crystallin is capable of maintaining its structural properties over a wide range of temperature. This property would be useful in providing protection for other lens proteins super-aggregating. In the alpha-crystallin gels, a moderate increase in both the spacing and intensity of the reflection was observed from 20 degrees C to 45 degrees C, followed by an accelerated increase from 45 degrees C to 70 degrees C. Upon cooling, this effect was found to be irreversible over 11 hours. Qualitatively similar results were observed for alpha-crystallin solutions at a variety of lower concentrations.
Keywords:eye  lens  α-crystallin  temperature  X-ray scattering
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