[Effect of mutant genes on crystallin synthesis in the forming mouse lens. 1. Dominant gene cataract-Fr]

The beginning of synthesis, localization and content of crystallins were studied in the developing lenses of 9--13 and 15 days old embryos of CatFr/CatFr and +/+ mice by means of immunofluorescence and polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis. The mutant gene CatFr was shown not to affect the crystallin synthesis. Alpha-crystallins are first to be synthesized in the cytoplasm of cells of the proximal part of the lens vesicle (10 days of development). Gamma-crystallins are detected for the first time in the lens of 11 days old embryos in the cytoplasm of developing lens fibers which lost their ability to divide. The differences in the time of synthesis of alpha- and gamma-crystallins are, possibly, related to their different role in the process of lens fiber differentiation.