Crystallins and Their Complexes

The crystallins (α, β and γ), major constituent proteins of eye lens fiber cells play their critical role in maintaining the transparency and refractive index of the lens. Under different stress factors and with aging, β- and γ-crystallinsΓ-crystallin start to unfold partially leading to their aggregation. ProteinProtein aggregation in lens basically enhances light scattering and causes the vision problem, commonly known as cataract. α-crystallinΑ-crystallin as a molecular chaperoneChaperone forms complexes with its substrates (β- and γ-crystallins) Γ-crystallin to prevent such aggregation. In this chapter, the structural features of β- and γ-crystallinsΓ-crystallin have been discussed. Detailed structural information linked with the high stability of γC-, γD- and γS-crystallins have been incorporated. The nature of homologous and heterologous interactions among crystallins has been deciphered, which are involved in their molecular association and complex formation.