THE STUDY OF CELL JUNCTIONS IN THE OCULAR LENS

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We propose to study the tight junctions, gap junctions and square arrays in the ocular lenses of frog, mouse and rabbit. The long-term objectives of the proposed research are to gain a better understanding in the occurrence, structural characteristics and the role of the junctional complexes and of the square arrays in the lens. The specific aims of the research plan are as follows: (1) Study the occurrence and structural characteristics of tight junctions in lens epithelia of rabbit, mouse and frog. (2) Determine permeability properties and the role of tight junctions under normal conditions. (3) Investigate the effect of calcium-free medium on the tight junctional structure and permeability of the frog lens. (4) Analyze the structural difference between gap junctions of epithelium and fiber cells of frog lens using uncoupling agents such as anoxia and low pH. (5) Examine possible changes of gap junctional structure and distribution in the Emory mouse cataract during aging and cataractogenesis. (6) Investigate the occurrence, structural organization and the role of square arrays in the lenses of rabbit and mouse. (7) Study the distribution changes of square arrays and surface ridge patterns of fiber cell membrane in the Emory mouse cataract during aging and cataractogenesis: An ultrastructural analysis. (8) Determine the possible alteration of major membrane proteins (MP26 & MP22) as related to the distribution changes of square arrays and surface ridges in the Emory mouse cataract during aging and cataractogenesis: A biochemical analysis. Methodology involved will be scanning and transmission electron microscopy, freeze-fracture TEM, tracer techniques, cytochemistry, protein isolation, SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, etc.