title: A computer graphics model of frog gamma-crystallin based on the three-dimensional structure of calf gamma-II crystallin.
abstract: Molecular models for Rana gamma-1 and gamma-2 crystallins have been constructed using computer graphics on the basis of the protein primary structure derived from the complementary DNA sequence and the three-dimensional structure of calf gamma-II crystallin that has been defined at high resolution by X-ray analysis. The models show that the cores of the two domains are conserved as hydrophobic, with the polypeptide chain arranged as a four Greek-key motif structure. Although many lysines replace arginines at equivalent positions in mammalian proteins, the Rana crystallins also have an extensive series of ion pairs on their surface; these are strongly implicated in their function as stable structural molecules, which are highly conserved in the evolution of the vertebrate eye lens.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003459:Crystallins; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011898:Ranidae; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D003459:Crystallins