Heat shock proteins of chicken lens

The presence of heat shock proteins HSP-40, HSP-70, and HSc-70 in adult and embryonic chicken lenses were determined. The epithelium, cortex, and nucl eus of adult chicken lens were separated and tested for the presence of hea t shock proteins (hsps) by western blot, using specific antibodies for HSP- 40, HSP-70, and HSc-70. Water soluble (WSF) and water insoluble fractions ( WIF) of embryonic chicken lenses were isolated and tested for the presence of HSP-40, HSP-70, and HSc-70 by immunoblot. Embryonic chicken lens section s were also analyzed for the presence of heat shock proteins by immunoflore scence technique. Data obtained from these experiments revealed that HSP-40 , HSP-70, and HSc-70 are present in all areas of both adult and embryonic c hicken lens. Presence of hsps protein in the deep cortex and nucleus is int riguing as no detectable metabolic activities are reported in this area. Ho wever it can be proposed that hsps HSP-40, HSP-70, and HSc-70 can interact with protein of these areas and protect them from stress induced denaturati on. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.