Normal age-related changes: Crystallin modifications, lens hardening

P. Wilmarth, L. David, K. Lampi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The human lens is a clear tissue that focuses light on the retina. There is little protein turnover and proteins in the center of the lens (the nucleus) are as old as the individual. Alterations to the amino acids in these lens proteins, known as crystallins, are called posttranslational modifications (PTMs), and they accumulate with age. Mass spectrometry is used to identify which amino acids are modified and to elucidate their role in age-related lens changes such as presbyopia and age-related nuclear cataract. A review of known lens PTMs and the functional significance of the various modifications is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of the Eye
PublisherElsevier
Pages161-166
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9780123742032
ISBN (Print)9780123741981
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2010

Keywords

  • Age-related modifications
  • Crystallins
  • Deamidation
  • Disulfide-bond formation
  • Lens
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Methylation
  • Oxidation
  • Post-translational modification
  • Proteolysis
  • Proteomics
  • Truncation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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