Phytochelatins inhibit the metal-induced aggregation of alpha-crystallin.
Phytochelatins (PCs) are heavy-metal-binding peptides found in some eukaryotes. This study investigates the use of plant-derived PCs for the inhibition of metal-induced protein aggregation. The results of this study show that PCs inhibit zinc-induced alpha-crystallin aggregation, and suggest that PCs might be useful as anti-cataract agents.
Hori
Yasuhisa
Y
Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan. hori@phs.osaka-u.ac.jp
Yoshikawa
Tomoaki
T
Tsuji
Naoki
N
Bamba
Takeshi
T
Aso
Yoshikazu
Y
Kudou
Motonori
M
Uchida
Yoshiki
Y
Takagi
Masahiro
M
Harada
Kazuo
K
Hirata
Kazumasa
K
D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D054811:Phytochelatins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D038201:alpha-Crystallins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology
D008670:Metals; D038201:alpha-Crystallins; D054811:Phytochelatins