[Changes in the cellular localization of gamma-crystallins in the lens differentiation process in amphibia]

The lenses were studied in the Rana temporaria embryos by means of immunochemistry from the formation of lens vesicle till the end of metamorphosis. The rabbit antisera against gamma- and beta-crystallins of Rana temporaria were used. The materials were fixed by acetone or Carnois fixative. beta-crystallins were shown to appear simultaneously with gamma-crystallins at stage 31--32 (Dabagyan, Sleptzova, 1975). gamma-Crystallins appeared first in the lens fibers and later (stages 36--51) in the epithelial cells. From stage 52 (tail reduction) the immunofluorescence of gamma-crystallins in the epithelium fell sharply until full disappearance. At stage 54 (end of metamorphosis) a weak fluorescence of gamma-crystallins was found in the anterior part of epithelium only. gamma-Crystallins were not found in the epithelium of adult frogs.