Changes in the DNA breakage and crystallin synthesis of embryonic chicken lenses cultured in a tryptophan-deficient medium.
In vitro experiments were performed in order to understand the biochemistry of tryptophan-deficient cataract. Eleven-day-old embryonic chick lenses were cultured in vitro for 3 hr, one and three days in a tryptophan-deficient medium. DNA breakage was followed on sucrose gradient and water-soluble protein synthesis was analysed by SDS-PAGE coupled with fluorography. A medium lacking tryptophan delays the DNA degradation and decreases the synthesis of all soluble proteins including the crystallins.
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003459:Crystallins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*
D003459:Crystallins; D014364:Tryptophan; D004247:DNA