SPARC AND CATARACTOGENESIS IN MICE

SPARC（分泌的酸性蛋白和富含半胱氨酸）缺失的小鼠都在早期开始发生白内障，这表明SPARC基因对晶状体功能和透明度至关重要。虽然白内障是世界范围内致盲的主要原因，但晶状体上皮细胞在白内障发生调节中的重要性尚未完全了解。本文概述了2个特定的目的，试图了解SPARC在晶状体上皮细胞增殖和分化中的作用。晶状体来源于一种细胞类型（晶状体上皮）。晶状体上皮细胞增殖并分化为纤维细胞，在整个生命周期中构成晶状体。这一过程受到环境因素的严格调控，对晶状体的正常生长至关重要。SPARC是一种具有抗粘附和抗增殖功能的分泌型原型基质糖蛋白，可能是调控这一过程的关键因素。SPARC-null小鼠不仅为了解白内障的发生，而且为了解SPARC本身的功能提供了很好的机会。

SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine)- null mice all began to develop cataract at an early age indicates that the SPARC gene is critical to lens functions and transparency. Although cataract is the primary cause of blindness worldwide, the importance of lens epithelial cells in regulation of cataractogenesis is not fully understood. This proposal outlines 2 specific aims attempting to understand the role of SPARC in lens epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. The lens is derived from one cell type (lens epithelium). Lens epithelial cells proliferate and differentiate into fiber cells that constitute the body of the lens throughout life. This process is regulated tightly by environmental cues and is critical for normal lens growth. SPARC, a secreted prototypic matricellular glycoprotein with counteradhesive and antiproliferative functions, might be a key factor in the regulation of this process. SPARC-null mice provide an excellent opportunity for understanding not only cataractogenesis but also the function(s) of SPARC itself.