GammaD-crystallin associated protein aggregation and lens fiber cell denucleation.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the underlying molecular mechanism for a dominant cataract caused by a point mutation in the gammaD-crystallin gene.


METHODS
A dominant cataractous mouse line was identified from chemically induced mouse mutations by phenotypic screening with slit lamp examination. Genomewide linkage analysis and DNA sequencing were used to determine the causative gene mutation. Histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and in vitro transfection studies were used to characterize mutant lenses.


RESULTS
Cataracts in mutant mice were caused by a point mutation in the gammaD-crystallin gene (gammaD-V76D). Intranuclear gamma-crystallin aggregates, incomplete denucleation, and decreased connexins were observed in mutant lens fiber cells. Mutant gammaD-V76D proteins became less soluble in the lens, and structural modeling suggested that the substituted aspartic acid residue (D) altered hydrogen bond formation and surface electrostatic potential of the protein. Unexpectedly, the formation of cold cataracts, which occurred in wild-type lenses at low temperature, was abolished in gammaD-V76D mutant lenses. In vitro transfection studies revealed that wild-type gammaD proteins were uniformly distributed in the cytosol and nucleus of transfected cells, whereas gammaD-V76D proteins formed cytosolic and nuclear aggregates.


CONCLUSIONS
Mutant gammaD-V76D reduces protein solubility in the lens and forms substantial intranuclear aggregates that disrupt the denucleation process of inner lens fiber cells. Sustained fiber cell nuclei and nuclear remnants scatter light, whereas other downstream events, such as decreased connexins, presumably disrupt gap junction communication and lens homeostasis, further contributing to the cataract phenotype in mutant lenses. This work also suggests that gammaD-crystallin is one of the crucial components for the formation of cold cataracts in vivo.
Wang
Kaijun
K
Vision Science Program and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-2020, USA.
Cheng
Catherine
C
Li
Lin
L
Liu
Haiquan
H
Huang
Qingling
Q
Xia
Chun-Hong
CH
Yao
Ke
K
Sun
Peiqing
P
Horwitz
Joseph
J
Gong
Xiaohua
X
D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D017630:Connexins / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D010641:Phenotype; D017354:Point Mutation; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012421:Rupture; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism; D038222:gamma-Crystallins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D017630:Connexins; D038222:gamma-Crystallins; C523008:gammaD-crystallin, mouse; D014867:Water