Immunohistochemical study of crystallin synthesis during morphogenesis of the crystalline lens in mice.
Using indirect immunofluorescence, the sequence of the synthesis of various classes of crystallins during normal morphogenesis of the crystalline lens in mice was shown: The alpha- begin to be synthesized first, then the gamma-, and finally the beta-crystallins. Using mice with hereditary anophthalmia (genotype ey-1/ey-1 ey-2/ey-2) permitted it to be established that the synthesis of alpha-crystallins occurs even when there is no morphogenesis of the crystalline lens. In mice of this genotype, the lens placode, which is reduced as compared to the norm, is resorbed as a rule, and does not develop into the crystalline lens vesicle. Separate cells containing alpha-crystallins were found in cranial epithelium on serial cross sections of the eye area of 13-day-old mutant embryos. Consequently, in ey-1/ey-1 ey-2/ey-2 embryos, alpha-crystallin synthesis takes place even in cells of the resorbed lens placode after brief inducing influence of the optic vesicle. As opposed to alpha-crystallins, synthesis of gamma- and beta-crystallins is detected only when lens fibers have formed. This is characteristic for embryos of ey-1/ey-1 ey-2/ey-2 genotype, as well as for mouse embryos homozygous for the fi gene. Data of the present work indicate that the inducing influence of the optic vesicle is necessary for activation of the genes controlling alpha-crystallin synthesis, while the influence of the retinal rudiment is necessary for derepression of the genes for gamma- and beta-crystallin synthesis.
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003459:Crystallins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005865:Gestational Age; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000196:embryology; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009154:Mutation
D003459:Crystallins