Identification and Functional Assessment of Age-Dependent Truncations to Cx46 and Cx50 in the Human Lens.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Many proteins in the lens undergo extensive posttranslational modifications (PTMs) with age, leading to alterations in their function. The extent to which lens gap junction proteins, Cx46 and Cx50, accumulate PTMs with aging is not known. In this study, we identified truncations in Cx46 and Cx50 in the human lens using mass spectrometry. We also examined the effect of truncations on channel function using electrophysiological measurements.

Methods

Human lenses were dissected into cortex, outer nucleus, and nucleus regions, and fiber cell membranes were subjected to trypsin digestion. Tryptic peptides were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI/MS/MS). Effects of truncations on channel conductance, permeability, and gating we

SUBMITTER: Slavi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5089213 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature