The M_r115 kd fiber cell-specific protein is a component of the lens cytoskeleton

Abstract

Electron microscope level immunocytochemistry was used to localize a lens fiber cell-specific protein with an Mr of 115 kd. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies were utilized on sections of detergent-extracted, acrylic-embedded lens cortical fiber cells. Monoclonal antibodies were utilized for pre-embeddment labelling of a subcellular fraction of lens fiber cells generated by homogenization, and high-speed centrifugation. The results indicate that the Mr 115 kd antigen is a component of the lens fiber cell cytoskeleton, specifically the beaded filament (BF), a cytoskeletal element thought to be unique to the differentiated lens fiber cell.