Distribution of HMW proteins and crystallins in cataractous lenses from undernourished and well-nourished subjects.

This paper presents results of a comparative study of the HMW proteins and crystallins from 9900 g supernatant fraction of cataractous lens homogenate between undernourished and well-nourished subjects. The proportion of HMW protein from cataractous lenses obtained from undernourished subjects was markedly reduced, the proportion of alpha-crystallin was increased and the proportions of beta- and gamma-crystallins were similar as compared to well-nourished subjects. Values of insoluble/soluble protein ratios were significantly higher in the former group compared to the latter. These results suggest that the process of lens protein insolubilization occurs earlier or faster in undernourished subjects.