Comparative studies of the carbohydrate of human gamma-crystallins from fetal and adult lenses with agglutinins

Yan Ke Xue Bao. 1992 Sep;8(3):108-10.

Abstract

Using gel chromatography of Sephadex G-75 superfine connected with Sephadex G-50 fine column, three human gamma-crystallins (gamma 1, gamma 2, gamma 3) could be obtained. Seven agglutinins (LCA, SBA, DBA, PNA, BSL, RCA and UEA) were used to detect the sugar of sub-gamma-crystallins, which had been transferred to nitrocellulose membrane and finally stained with ABC reagents and the substrate of HPR. These results suggested that gamma 2- and gamma 3-crystallins contain sugar, but gamma 1-crystallin has no sugar. There is a decrease of carbohydrate of gamma 2 and gamma 3 as the development of the lens (esp. the former). It was postulated that in gamma-crystallins (gamma 2, gamma 3) the sugar components helped stabilizing the molecular structure (folding polypeptide, prevent protein breaking). The sugar components decreased with age by the post-translation modification.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Agglutinins
  • Carbohydrates / analysis*
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Crystallins / chemistry*
  • Fetus
  • Humans
  • Lens, Crystalline / chemistry*

Substances

  • Agglutinins
  • Carbohydrates
  • Crystallins