Cataract-related changes in protein aggregates of human lens studied by ultracentrifugation.

In human lens, cataract development causes an increase in the amount of protein aggregates. Their specific density of 1.25 g/ml is much higher than that of 1.14 g/ml and 1.06 g/ml obtained for water-soluble proteins. During the formation of water-insoluble aggregates their size varies up to some micrometers. Infrared spectra of water-soluble protein and in the aggregates confirm that the content of bound water in aggregates decreases.