Key post-translational modifications of crystallin: from mechanism to target exploration for cataract diagnosis and...

The maintenance of lens transparency depends on the structural stability and functional integrity of crystallin, and post-translational modification (PTM) is the core link in regulating the conformation, solubility, and molecular chaperone activity of crystallin. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanisms of key PTM types in crystallin, analyzes the synergistic and antagonistic effects among different PTMs, and clarifies that PTM imbalance promotes the occurrence and development of cataracts by inducing denaturation and aggregation of crystallin. Meanwhile, summarize the research progress of PTM as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cataracts, providing a comprehensive theoretical reference for the study of cataract mechanisms and their application in diagnosis and treatment.