Membrane interlocking domains in the lens.

Abstract

"Ball and socket"-like membrane processes interlock fiber cells in the sheep lens cortex, but appear reduced deeper in the lens. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) binds preferentially to these ball and socket structures, and more weakly to other membrane regions. On protein blots, 125I WGA binds to glycoproteins with 140,000 and 32,000 apparent molecular weight, the smaller protein also binding 125I fibronectin. In two animal cataract models, the intense WGA labeling of globular bodies replaces the spotty WGA staining pattern associated with the ball and sockets in the normal lens.