Alpha-B-crystallin in neuropathology

alpha B-Crystallin, which has homology with the small heat shock proteins, is the basic subunit of alpha-crystallin, a major component of the vertebra te eye lens, These crystallins have for a long time been thought to be abso lutely lens specific. However, about a decade ago alpha B-crystallin has be en detected extralenticularly in many tissues among which the central nervo us system. Under pathological conditions the expression level of alpha B-cr ystallin frequently increases. For this reason it is considered to be a use ful marker in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. In this mini-review, a number of typical neurodegenerative disorders is dealt with in which alp ha B-crystallin may play a role. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.