Age-dependent loss of the C-terminal amino acid from alpha crystallin.
Antiserum made against the C-terminal region of alpha-A crystallin was used to monitor the purification of a tryptic peptide containing the C-terminus of the molecule from fetal versus adult bovine lenses. Mass spectral analysis of the peptide preparations obtained from these lenses demonstrated the presence of a peptide (T20) containing an intact C-terminus from fetal lenses and the presence of an additional peptide (T20') from older lenses that contained a cleaved C-terminal serine. These results demonstrate an age-dependent processing of alpha-A crystallin in the bovine lens, resulting in removal of the C-terminal amino acid residue.
Emmons
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Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
Takemoto
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L
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003459:Crystallins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010443:Peptide Chain Termination, Translational
D000596:Amino Acids; D003459:Crystallins