[Studies of alpha- and betaL-crystallin complex formation in solution at 60 degrees C]

Studies of molecular mechanisms of chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin became an active field of research over last years. However, fine interactions between alpha-crystallin and the damaged protein and their complex organization remain largely uncovered. Complexation between alpha- and betaL-crystallins was studied with thermal denaturation of betaL-crystallin at 60 degrees C using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), light scattering, gel-permeation chromatography and electrophoresis. A mixed solution of alpha- and betaL-crystallins in concentrations about 10 mg/ml incubated at 60 degrees C was found to contain their soluble complexes with mean radius of gyration approximately 14 nm, mean molecular weight approximately 4000 kDA and maximal size approximately 40 nm. In pure betaL-crystallin solution, complexes were not observed at 60 degrees C. In SAXS studies, transitions in the alpha-crystallin quaternary structure at 60 degrees C were shown to occur and result in a double increase of the molecular weight. It suggests that during the temperature-induced denaturation of betaL-crystallin it binds with modified alpha-crystallin or, alternatively, alpha-betaL-crystallin complexation and alpha-crystallin modifications are concurrent. Estimates of the alpha-betaL-crystallin dimensions and relative contents of alpha- and betaL-crystallins in the complex suggest that several alpha-crystallin molecules are involved in complex formation.