The metabolism of D-glyceraldehyde by the lens.
1. The metabolism of d-glyceraldehyde by the lens was examined. 2. When low concentrations of d-[U-(14)C]glyceraldehyde were incubated with lens extracts there was no incorporation of the label into protein; more than two-thirds of the labelled metabolites consisted of glyceric acid and glycerol, their relative proportions depending on the species. Lactic acid, a phosphate, glutathione-glyceraldehyde compounds and a neutral compound were also formed. 3. When high concentrations of d-[U-(14)C]glyceraldehyde were incubated with lens, extensive incorporation of the label into protein occurred and the protein became yellow-brown. This coloured protein did not exhibit the fluorescent properties shown by the brown proteins of human cataractous senile lens, or of naphthaquinone-treated lens. 4. Evidence that d-glyceraldehyde is formed by the lens was sought but not found.
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001345:Autoradiography; D002021:Buffers; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D002417:Cattle; D003116:Color; D003459:Crystallins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003545:Cysteine; D005453:Fluorescence; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005985:Glyceraldehyde / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005988:Glyceric Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005990:Glycerol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007535:Isomerases / Q000378:metabolism; D007773:Lactates / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism*; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010770:Phosphotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002021:Buffers; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003459:Crystallins; D005988:Glyceric Acids; D007773:Lactates; D010710:Phosphates; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D005632:Fructose; D005985:Glyceraldehyde; D009249:NADP; D010770:Phosphotransferases; D007535:Isomerases; D005978:Glutathione; D005947:Glucose; D003545:Cysteine; D005990:Glycerol