Synthesis of Water-Soluble Proteins by Cortical Fiber Cells of the Cultured Rabbit Lens

Abstract

Synthesis of water-soluble proteins by cortical fiber cells of explanted rabbit lenses was investigated. Lenses were cultured for varying intervals, ranging 6-48 h and were incubated with 3H-leucine during the last 6 h of culture. The water-soluble proteins were extracted by TCA [trichloroacetic acid] precipitation. The specific activity of the intercellular 3H-leucine pool was determined; it decreased by nearly half between 6 and 12 h and then stabilized. The rate of protein synthesis was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry. It peaked at 6 h, decreased considerably by 24 h and did not change significantly thereafter.