2004 Volume 27 Issue 12 Pages 1923-1931
We reported previously that C-terminal truncated α-crystallins were found in lenses of hereditary cataractous rat ICR/f. In this study, we examined the phosphorylation of the crystalline lens proteins, αB-crystallin and αA-crystallin, in cataractous and normal rats of different ages and have found an increase in the phosphorylation of serine residues of truncated α-crystallin in cataractous lens. Phosphorylation and C-terminal truncation of α-crystallins could, both, reduce their chaperone-like activity and lead to cataract formation.