Biomaterial Database

Distribution of water-soluble crystallins in microsectioned cataractous lenses from one hundred Egyptian patients. 1995

J Bours, and A A el-Layeh, and M H Emarah, and H Rink

Institute for Experimental Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Germany.

Morphologically classified lenses from 100 cataract patients from the Mansoura Eye Hospital (Egypt) were microdissected and the crystallin composition and distribution were analyzed by thin-layer isoelectric focusing (IEF). The IEF profiles of cataractous lenses were compared with each other, with those of sclerotic lenses and with a normal lens profile. The alterations in the composition of high-molecular-weight (HMW)-, alpha-, beta H-, beta L-, beta s-, and gamma-crystallins along with normal aging, are superimposed by pronounced cataract-related changes which are different for the various types of cataracts. The general feature includes a continuous loss of gamma-, beta s- and beta L-crystallins of higher IEPs and an increase of HMW material. This is highly pronounced in the nucleus of nuclear cataractous lenses. In cortical cataractous lenses, changes start in the cortical layers. No differences could be observed between alterations in Caucasian lenses and this extended Egyptian lens population.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007525	Isoelectric Focusing	Electrophoresis in which a pH gradient is established in a gel medium and proteins migrate until they reach the site (or focus) at which the pH is equal to their isoelectric point.	Electrofocusing,Focusing, Isoelectric
D007908	Lens, Crystalline	A transparent, biconvex structure of the EYE, enclosed in a capsule and situated behind the IRIS and in front of the vitreous humor (VITREOUS BODY). It is slightly overlapped at its margin by the ciliary processes. Adaptation by the CILIARY BODY is crucial for OCULAR ACCOMMODATION.	Eye Lens,Lens, Eye,Crystalline Lens
D008297	Male		Males
D008867	Microtomy	The technique of using a microtome to cut thin or ultrathin sections of tissues embedded in a supporting substance. The microtome is an instrument that hold a steel, glass or diamond knife in clamps at an angle to the blocks of prepared tissues, which it cuts in sections of equal thickness.	Thin Sectioning,Ultramicrotomy,Sectioning, Thin,Sectionings, Thin,Thin Sectionings
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008970	Molecular Weight	The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule.	Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D002386	Cataract	Partial or complete opacity on or in the lens or capsule of one or both eyes, impairing vision or causing blindness. The many kinds of cataract are classified by their morphology (size, shape, location) or etiology (cause and time of occurrence). (Dorland, 27th ed)	Cataract, Membranous,Lens Opacities,Pseudoaphakia,Cataracts,Cataracts, Membranous,Lens Opacity,Membranous Cataract,Membranous Cataracts,Opacities, Lens,Opacity, Lens,Pseudoaphakias
D003459	Crystallins	A heterogeneous family of water-soluble structural proteins found in cells of the vertebrate lens. The presence of these proteins accounts for the transparency of the lens. The family is composed of four major groups, alpha, beta, gamma, and delta, and several minor groups, which are classed on the basis of size, charge, immunological properties, and vertebrate source. Alpha, beta, and delta crystallins occur in avian and reptilian lenses, while alpha, beta, and gamma crystallins occur in all other lenses.	Lens Proteins,Crystallin,Eye Lens Protein,Lens Protein, Eye,Protein, Eye Lens,Proteins, Lens
D004534	Egypt	A country in northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Its capital is Cairo.	Arab Republic of Egypt,United Arab Republic
D005260	Female		Females