Localization of low molecular weight crystallin peptides in the aging human lens using a MALDI mass spectrometry imaging approach

Authors

S. P. Su, University of WollongongFollow
Jason D. McArthur, University of WollongongFollow
J. A. Aquilina, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

33536

Publication Details

This article was originally published as Su, S.P., McArthur, J.D., Aquilina, J.A., Localization of low molecular weight crystallin peptides in the aging human lens using a MALDI mass spectrometry imaging approach, Experimental Eye Research, 91(1), 2010, 97-103. Original item available here

Abstract

Low molecular weight (LMW) peptides, derived from the breakdown of the major eye lens proteins, the crystallins, accumulate in the human lens with age. These LMW peptides are associated with age-related lens opacity and cataract, with some shown to inhibit the chaperone activity of α-crystallin. However, the mechanism(s) giving rise to the production of these peptides, as well as their distribution within the lens, are not well understood. In this study, we have mapped the distribution of these crystallin-derived peptides present in human lenses of different ages using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS). Our data showed that most of these LMW peptides emerge in the lens at early middle-age, with peptides greater than 1778 Da in mass being confined to the water insoluble fractions, and to a lesser extent the water soluble fractions of older lenses. MALDI-IMS analyses showed that four peptides, derived from αA-, αB- and γS crystallins, were confined to the lens nuclear fibre cells upon emergence during early middle-age, but were present in both the cortex and nucleus of old lenses. In contrast, another major peptide, derived from the C-terminal breakdown of βA3-crystallin, was present in the cortical and nuclear regions of both young and old lenses. A comparison between age-matched cataractous and non-cataractous lenses showed no distinct differences in LMW peptide profiles, indicating that although cataract may be a potential consequence caused by the emergence of these peptides, it does not contribute directly to the peptide-generating process.

ANZSRC / FoR Code

060101 Analytical Biochemistry, 060109 Proteomics and Intermolecular Interactions (excl. Medical Proteomics)