Senile cataract-related accumulation of Lewis(x) glycolipid in human lens.
A glycosphingolipid that reacted positively to anti-stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1) antiserum accumulated in human lens in association with aging and senile cataract formation. Since this antiserum recognizes Lewis(x) (Le(x)) structure, Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc-, which is a typical tumor-associated and differentiation-related saccharide chain, the lens glycolipid was predicted to be a Lex antigen. The glycolipid purified from cataractous lens tissues was indeed a Lex glycolipid, Gal beta 1-4(Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc beta 1-3Gal beta 1- 4Glc beta 1-1 ceramide. Enhanced expression of the Lex glycolipid may affect the organization of lens plasma membranes through Le(x)-Le(x) interactions, as suggested for compaction in mouse preimplantation embryos and embryonic teratocarcinomas, resulting in lens opacification, namely cataract.
Department of Physiology and Ophthalmology, Toho University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
M
M
Ogiso
A
A
Irie
H
H
Kubo
M
M
Hoshi
M
M
Komoto
D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005732:Gangliosides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism*; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000276:immunology*
D005732:Gangliosides; D006017:Glycolipids; D016256:Lewis X Antigen