Calpains: targets of cataract prevention?
There is emerging evidence to suggest that the unregulated Ca(2+)-mediated proteolysis of essential lens proteins by calpains might be a major contributor to some forms of cataract in both animals and humans. Moreover, recently solved calpain structures have revealed molecular-level details of the activation mechanism used by these proteases, enabling the structure-based design of potent calpain inhibitors with the potential to act as anti-cataract agents. These agents offer the first real hope of an urgently needed alternative to the surgical treatment of at least some forms of cataract and relief from a life-depreciating condition on a global scale.
Biswas
Suman
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, PR2 9HT, UK.
Harris
Frederick
F
Dennison
Sarah
S
Singh
Jaipaul
J
Phoenix
David A
DA
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002154:Calpain / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002386:Cataract / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002417:Cattle; D003459:Crystallins / Q000378:metabolism; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
D003459:Crystallins; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D002154:Calpain; D002118:Calcium