Some aspects of Dr Kinoshita's contributions to lens protein chemistry

A review of some of Dr Kinoshita's contributions to our understanding of lens protein and glutathione biochemistry is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on Dr Kinoshita's work involved with the relationship of carbohydrate metabolism and the maintenance of reduced glutathione, the question of the biological function of glutathione in the lens, the effect of oxidative stress provided by diamide and azoester on glutathione, membrane pump function and protein and also ascorbate and H2O2 effects on Na+, K(+)-ATPase. The importance of oxidative stress was recognized early by Dr Kinoshita and he has continued to make significant contributions in this area as illustrated by his work with Dr Zigler on posterior subcapsular cataracts and with Drs Garland and Zigler on mixed function oxidation. It is concluded that Dr Kinoshita's overall contributions in the areas mentioned above have been broad and of considerable importance.