[Localization of bovine corneal protein 54K (BCP 54) in the prenatal mouse eye].

Localization of bovine corneal protein 54K (BCP54) in the prenatal mouse eye was examined by immunohistochemical methods using rat anti-BCP54 polyclonal antibody. BCP54 was found from an early prenatal stage in corneal epithelium, keratocytes, corneal endothelium, conjunctival epithelium, and surface ectoderm which would differentiate in other organs except the eye. In other reports, it has been ascertained that BCP54 has an aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. To take its enzyme activity into consideration, we suggest that BCP54 is involved in maintaining transparency and oxidation-reduction balance of the cornea.