Effects of ELL-associated factor 2 on ultraviolet radiation-induced cataract formation in mice.
ELL-associated factor 2 (Eaf2) has an important role in crystalline lens development and maturation; however, its role in ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced cataract formation has remained elusive. The present study compared UV-induced cell apoptosis, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and changes in protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), bcl-2-associated X protein (bax) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase in wild-type and Eaf2-knockout mice. The results showed that Eaf2 knockout can reduce UV-induced apoptosis in crystalline lenses and mitigate the formation of cataracts. Further functional studies indicated that Eaf2 can induce the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, increase the protein expression of the pro-apoptotic protein bax and inhibit the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2; thereby, Eaf2 promotes cell apoptosis and is implicated in the formation and development of cataracts. The present study laid a theoretical foundation for the development of drugs for cataract treatment.
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110005, P.R. China.
Yanhua
Y
Jiang
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, Liaoning 110031, P.R. China.
Rongrong
R
Fu
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110005, P.R. China.
Jiangyue
J
Zhao
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110005, P.R. China.
Di
D
Wu
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, Liaoning 110031, P.R. China.
Guang
G
Qiao
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth People's Hospital of Shenyang, Shenyang, Liaoning 110031, P.R. China.
Ruoxi
R
Li
Department of Ophthalmology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110005, P.R. China.
Jinsong
J
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055786:Gene Knockout Techniques; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
C483108:FESTA protein, mouse; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9