title: A genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to ultraviolet light among recombinant SWXJ inbred strains of mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine a possible genetic basis for corneal sensitivity to UV-B light exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  To this end, adult male mice from the 14 SWXJ recombinant inbred albino strains (originating from SJL/J and SWR/J parental strains) were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure of 0.078 J/cm2 and photographed four days post-exposure, to assess corneal opacity and the possible correlation with corneal aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and soluble protein content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Those recombinant strains that exhibited the SWR/J strain phenotype of having low levels of ALDH and decreased soluble protein levels also exhibited greater levels of corneal clouding after UV-exposure than the other strains, which exhibited "normal" levels of both ALDH activity and soluble protein in the cornea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support an hypothesis for a major role for ALDH in assisting the cornea to protect the eye against UV-induced tissue damage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Science and Technology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Swann
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012995:Solubility; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase