Bovine lens water-soluble proteins were incubated with [I-14C]ascorbic acid (ASA) for 6 days, and the incorporation into protein was measured at daily intervals. Aliquots were also withdrawn to determine the distribution of label among the various ASA oxidation products. A linear incorporation into protein was observed in the presence of NaCNBH3, however, little or no incorporation was seen in its absence. TLC analysis showed a complete loss of ASA by day 3, whereas both dehydroascorbate (DHA) and diketogulonic acid (DKG) remained constant for 6 days, consistent with the linear incorporation into protein. The amino acid composition of the proteins glycated in the presence of NaCNBH3 was identical to controls except for a 70% reduction in lysine residues and a corresponding increase in an unknown product which eluted slightly earlier than methionine. In the absence of NaCNBH3 lysine decreased linearly to 20% with an additional decrease in arginine and histidine at later times concurrent with protein crosslinking. DHA and DKG were prepared and incubated directly with lens proteins for an 8 day period. Both compounds glycated lens protein as evidenced by an increased binding to a boronate affinity column. SDS-PAGE showed that both compounds were also capable of causing protein crosslinking. DHA is apparently capable of reacting directly with protein since glycation was observed with the ASA analog, reductic acid, which can be oxidized to dehydroreductic acid, but which cannot be hydrolyzed to an open chain structure. DHA also produced a lysine adduct which was not obtained with DKG, supporting the idea that both species have glycating ability.