Characteristics of ethylnitrosourea-induced cataracts

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study analyzed genes associated with the morphology and regulation of ethylnitrosourea (ENU)-induced cataract mouse.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry analysis using anti-crystallins and PCNA antibody revealed that the localization pattern of these specific markers differed between the cataractous and wild-type lens epithelium. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and microarray techniques were used to identify the proteins and genes related to ENU-induced cataract.

RESULTS: A novel ENU-induced mutation in the mouse led to nuclear and cortical opacity of the eye lens at 5 weeks postnatal. This cataract phenotype was similar to that of the zonular-pulverulent type of human cataract. Crystallin proteins and gap-junction genes have relations to the formation of cataract.

CONCLUSIONS: Together, the results suggest that various proteins affect the formation and specific phenotypes of ENU-induced cataract mouse