Understanding age-related protein aggregation. The mechanism of cataract and its prevention

白内障是由晶体蛋白聚集引起的眼晶状体混浊引起的，晶体蛋白的高浓度和紧密堆积促进了晶状体的透明。这项建议将研究晶体蛋白的结构和相互作用，以了解白内障的形成原因，并通过设计聚集抑制剂来预防白内障。这一结果将有助于开发预防白内障和其他相关蛋白质聚集性疾病的药物，如阿尔茨海默氏症和帕金森氏症。

Cataract arises from clouding of the eye lens due to the aggregation of crystallin proteins whose high concentration and close packing facilitate lens transparency. This proposal will investigate crystallin structure and interactions to understand the reasons for cataract formation and its prevention via the design of aggregation inhibitors. The results will facilitate the development of drugs to prevent cataract and other related protein aggregation diseases, e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.