On the hydration of α-crystallin of bovine lenses

Abstract

The water sorption and retention capacity of α-crystallin was studied at different relative water vapor pressures. Water, to the extent of 6%, enters into the structure with strong binding capacity and resembles water of crystallization. In fact, the X-ray diffraction photographs indicated that α-crystallin is a polycrystalline material and the interplanar spacings depend on the water content.