Studies on the molecular organization of the lens

Based on recent findings from our laboratories, we propose the working hypothesis that the macromolecular organization of the outer cortex is dependent upon a functional link which occurs between actin, gamma-crystallin and metabolism. This hypothesis is rooted in the following observations: (1) actin polymerization is energy-dependent; (2) exogenously added gamma-crystallin modifies the rate, extent and pattern of actin polymerization in vitro; (3) the metabolite L-alpha-glycerol phosphate appears to bind to gamma-crystallin, and (4) glycolytic enzymes occur in an organized array on actin filaments.