[Changes in cytoskeletal proteins in childhood cataract lenses].
OBJECTIVE
Approximately 50% of congenital and childhood cataract seen in the clinic is of undetermined origin. Biochemical analysis of the cataracts is rare. This study analyzes lens proteins to determine the mechanism of congenital and childhood cataracts.


METHODS
We analyzed the lens proteins from 10 young patients after cataract operations, using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), densitometry analysis, and western immunoblotting.


RESULTS
Densitometry of separated proteins showed a decrease in the high molecular protein bands of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). Specifically, spectrin (235 kDa), filensin (100 kDa), and vimentin (57 kDa) were absent from the SDS-PAGE of PSC. Increases in filensin and vimentin were observed in a Christmas tree cataract and lamellar cataracts. Western immunoblots confirmed the densitometry of SDS-PAGE.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that changes in cytoskeletal proteins may contribute to congenital and childhood cataract.
Matsushima
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
Mukai
K
K
Obara
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D013049:Spectrin / Q000032:analysis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D014746:Vimentin; C079098:filensin; D013049:Spectrin