Zinc and Copper Ions Induce Aggregation of Human ß-Crystallins.
Molecules
; 27(9)2022 May 06.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35566320
ABSTRACT
Cataracts are defined as the clouding of the lens due to the formation of insoluble protein aggregates. Metal ions exposure has been recognized as a risk factor in the cataract formation process. The γ and ß crystallins are members of a larger family and share several structural features. Several studies have shown that copper and zinc ions induce the formation of γ-crystallins aggregates. However, the interaction of metal ions with ß-crystallins, some of the most abundant crystallins in the lens, has not been explored until now. Here, we evaluate the effect of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions on the aggregation of HßA1, as a representative of the acidic form, and HßB2, as a representative of the basic ß-crystallins. We used several biophysical techniques and computational methods to show that Cu(II) and Zn(II) induce aggregation following different pathways. Both metal ions destabilize the proteins and impact protein folding. Copper induced a small conformational change in HßA1, leading to high-molecular-weight light-scattering aggregates, while zinc is more aggressive towards HßB2 and induces a larger conformational change. Our work provides information on the mechanisms of metal-induced aggregation of ß-crystallins.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Catarata
/
Cristalinas
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Molecules
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
México