Zinc and Copper Ions Induce Aggregation of Human β-Crystallins.

ABSTRACT: Cataracts are defined as the clouding of the lens due to the formation of insoluble protein aggregates. Metal ions exposure has been recognized as a risk factor in the cataract formation process. The γ and β crystallins are members of a larger family and share several structural features. Several studies have shown that copper and zinc ions induce the formation of γ-crystallins aggregates. However, the interaction of metal ions with β-crystallins, some of the most abundant crystallins in the lens, has not been explored until now. Here, we evaluate the effect of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions on the aggregation of HβA1, as a representative of the acidic form, and HβB2, as a representative of the basic β-crystallins. We used several biophysical techniques and computational methods to show that Cu(II

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Bello V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9105653 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature