Targeted knockout of the mouse betaB2-crystallin gene (Crybb2) induces age-related cataract

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Jun ZhangWenjie Li

Abstract

The betaB2-crystallin gene (Crybb2) is expressed at an increasing level in the postnatal lens cortex. It has been assumed that the gene functions as structural protein, although this has not been directly tested. Here the in vivo functions of betaB2-crystallin are examined via the generation of mice with a targeted disruption of Crybb2. Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells was used to generate mouse lines in which Crybb2 was deleted. Gene structure and protein expression were analyzed by PCR, immunoblot, and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Knockout mice were screened for cataract with slit lamp biomicroscopy. Microstructure of lens was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The resistance of crystallins in knockout mice to heat-induced denaturation and oxidative stress was examined. The lens appeared to develop normally in the first months of life. In older animals, the weight and axial diameter of the lenses of knockout mice were significantly smaller than in wild-type mice. Cataracts were formed in the posterior and anterior cortex several months after birth and cataract severity increased with age. The thermal stability of the supernatant of a lens homogenate was mildly compromised. The knockout le...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 19, 2012·Human Genomics·Konstantinos Sousounis, Panagiotis A Tsonis
Jan 5, 2014·European Journal of Medical Genetics·Hao Deng, Lamei Yuan
Jul 8, 2014·Progress in Retinal and Eye Research·Solon ThanosArndt Heiligenhaus
Mar 4, 2014·Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology·Christine Slingsby, Graeme J Wistow
Sep 24, 2014·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Qian GaoWen-Jie Li
Aug 20, 2016·Radiation Research·Ilaria De StefanoMariateresa Mancuso
Jun 6, 2020·European Journal of Ophthalmology·Li Juan XuJie He
May 5, 2018·Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine·Yin JiaWen-Jie Li
Oct 26, 2016·Molecular Medicine Reports·Qian GaoWenjie Li
Jul 1, 2019·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Asmita D PawarYogendra Sharma
Dec 10, 2021·Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·Sheldon RowanAllen Taylor

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Mammalian Genome : Official Journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society
Minxuan SunJochen Graw
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
S Amer RiazuddinJ Fielding Hejtmancik
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
Amanda Churchill, Jochen Graw
European Journal of Medical Genetics
Bingyu Huang, Weigong He
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved