BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE LENS

Abstract

The possible functions of glutathione in the lens as well as in the rest of the body have been a matter of discussion since the discovery of this substance by Hopkins. 1 Although much experimental work has been done on the glutathione in the lens, its actual isolation from this organ was only recently accomplished by two of us. 2 That glutathione has an important function in the metabolism of the lens appears likely from the work of Adams, 3 who showed that the oxygen uptake of a lens extract became nil when glutathione was dialyzed out ; readdition of glutathione to the extract caused a resumption of its oxygen uptake. It was indicated that this substance is a constituent of an auto-oxidation system in which the sulfhydryl can act as a hydrogen donor, being oxidized to the disulfide form, which in turn can accept hydrogen from a thermostable residue. It