Glycosylation of lens proteins in senile cataract and diabetes mellitus.

We have investigated glycosylation of lens proteins in diabetic and non-diabetic senile cataract patients. Our study reveals that glycosylation of lens cortical proteins, but not of nuclear proteins, is significantly higher in diabetic patients with senile cataract. This finding serves to clarify the confusion over glycosylation of lens proteins as it relates to diabetes mellitus and further contributes to an understanding of glycosylation of lens tissues as a distinct posttranslational modification.