Protein Imbalance in Congenital Cataracts in Mice

Article: Cloudy eyes caused by protein imbalance
Source: Technical University of Munich (Germany), via ScienceDaily
Published: February 16, 2021

Cataract-associated crystallin mutants are thermodynamically destabilized

This is another small study from Germany about the crystalline lens and cataract formation. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich used a mouse model to study hereditary forms of cataracts. The findings were not major, however, the researchers discovered that at least for the genetic conditions under study in their mouse models, clumping of normal rather than abnormal proteins was the cause of cataracts. The unstable, mutated proteins were eliminated immediately and not present. Instead, it was the "healthy" normal proteins that clumped together. One of the researchers states that the model showed that "the balance between the various proteins, or their ratios to one another, is important. When one of these components is missing, the remaining ones interact and form clumps." The proportion of hereditary, compared to age-related or other acquired, cataracts is extremely small, which limits the scope of the study. Nonetheless, as with previous studies about the crystalline lens, this study adds to the basic science knowledge base that could aid in developing drugs that help prevent or delay cataract formation. Perhaps also in a philosophical way, the study highlights the body's balance of components in maintaining optimal function.

My rating of this study: ⭐

Further reading: Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying cataract development

Schmid PWN, Lim NCH, Peters C, et al. "Imbalances in the eye lens proteome are linked to cataract formation." Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.  28:143-151. 11 January 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-020-00543-9