Fluorophors and chromophors from rat lens crystallins in UV with hydroxykynurenine

Isolated alpha-, beta-, and gamma-crystallins from young rat lenses were incubated in solution for 16 hr with 3-hydroxykynurenine under ultraviolet (366 nm) light. Controls included: incubation without light, without kynurenine, and with 2-mercaptoethanol. These procedures generated several chromophors (with absorption maxima or shoulders at 340, 370, and 470 nm) and fluorophors (with excitation/emission at 407/515, 458/550, 515/555, 647/664, and 647/740 nm). The formation of these pigments was inhibited by 2-mercaptoethanol. The findings are discussed in relation to the chromophors and fluorophors found in aged and brunescent human lenses.