Racemization of aspartyl residues in proteins from normal and cataractous human lenses: an aging process without involvement in cataract formation.
A highly sensitive method was used to determine D- and L-aspartyl residues in protein fractions from normal and cataractous human lenses. A linear relationship with age was found in all fractions from normal lenses. However, no correlation with cataract could be established. It is concluded that racemization of aspartyl residues is a continuous process in eye-lens proteins but plays no role in cataract formation.
van den Oetelaar
P J
PJ
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Hoenders
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D003459:Crystallins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged
D003459:Crystallins; D001224:Aspartic Acid