Delta crystallin accumulation in chick lens epithelial cultures: Dependence on age and genotype

Abstract

The patterns of crystallin synthesis and accumulation during long-term cell culture of day-old chick lens epithelium have been compared in two strains, N and Hy-1, which differ in their growth rates. In one of these strains (Hy-1), we have also compared the pattern of δ-crystallin accumulation during eulture of lens epithelial cells from 12- and 15-day chick embryos as well as from newly-hatched chicks. Delta crystallin production is greater in cultures set up from the earlier stages, and also in the faster-growing strain (Hy-1). The relationship of these results to lens fibre formation at different stages in vivo is discussed.