THE EFFECT OF GLUTATHIONE UPON CHAPERONE ACTIVITY OF ALPHA-CRYSTALLINIS PROBABLY MEDIATED THROUGH TARGET MODULATION

We studied the effect of the presence of glutathione, both reduced (GS H) and oxidized (GSSG), on the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin towards thermal aggregation of gamma(2)-crystallin. Results showed tha t while GSH enhanced the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin, GSSG appeared to diminish it to some extent. When, however, the effect of t he presence of glutathione was studied in the absence of alpha-crystal lin, the nature of their action was found to be almost similar to that observed in its presence. These results suggest that glutathiones pro bably modulate the target protein which ultimately influences the chap erone activity of alpha-crystallin.