Immunological Properties of Rat Lens Gamma-Crystallins

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Abstract
The rat lens contains three immunologically different γ-crystallins, γ1-, γ2-, and γ3-crystallins. With the aid of specific antisera, it could be established that partial identity exists between γ1 and γ2-crystallins, and non-identity between γ1 and γ3-, and between γ2-and γ3-crystallins. The occurrence of these three crystallins has been investigated in rat lenses, aged 5–1,162 days, by isoelectric focusing, immunofocusing and immunodiffusion. The γ1·- and γ2-crystallins are already present in 5-day-old lenses, but diminish during ageing and finally disappear. In contrast, γ3-crystallin develops first in 10-day-old lenses, it remains present during progressed ageing.