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[A-4.4.2 Experimental Study on the Pathogenesis of Cataract caused by Ultraviolet Ray]

[Contact Person]

Chiharu Tohyama
Director
Environmental Health Sciences Division
National Institute for Environmental Studies
Environment Agency
16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Tel : +81-298-50-2336 Fax: +81-298-50-2574
E-mail: ctohyama@nies.go.jp

[Total Budget for FY1993-FY1995]

20,632,000Yen (FY1995; 6,891,000 Yen)

[Abstract]

　The main objective of this study is to elucidate how lens lose its transparency to get opacity, which leads to cataract formation, due to continued exposure to ultraviolet ray B(UVB). In the present study, utilizing cultured organ and cell derived from bovine lens, we investigated the effects of UVB upon chrystallins, proteins unique to lens as well as gene expression of some oncogenes. We found that α- and β- chrystallins were subject to degradation and modification and speculated that the conformational change inα-chrystallins may lose its chaperon function and aggravate the lens opacity. In addition, we found that UVB irradiation caused an increased expression of c-fos and c-jun genes, single strand break of DNA chain, and induction of apoptosis of lens epithelial cells. These results explain a possible mechanism of opacification in vivo.

[Key Words]

Cataract, Lens, Opacity, Ultraviolet ray