Hydration of gamma-crystallins
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Updated: Nov 9, 2026

The Mammalian Ocular Lens in Focus: Development, Anatomy, Physiology, Transparency, Biomechanics, and Age-Related Challenges
Published on: May 29, 2026
F A Bettelheim1, M B Reid, D Garland
1Department of Chemistry, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530.
Abstract:
Four fractions of gamma-crystallins, B(II), C(IIIb), D(IIIa) and E(IVa), were isolated from bovine lenses. The hydration properties of each fraction were measured as a function of protein concentration. The freezable water content was obtained by differential scanning calorimetry and the total water content by thermogravimetric analysis. The difference yields the non-freezable (bound) water content of the crystallins. At physiological protein concentrations the order of the bound water content was C(IIIb) > D(IIIa) >> E(IVa) > B(II). This order was reversed between C and D and between B and E at low protein concentrations. This trend was evident whether the bound water was calculated as a percentage of the total water or as quantity per gram of gamma-crystallin.
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