Periaxin is required for hexagonal geometry and membrane organization of mature lens fibers.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Transparency of the ocular lens depends on symmetric packing and membrane organization of highly elongated hexagonal fiber cells. These cells possess an extensive, well-ordered cortical cytoskeleton to maintain cell shape and to anchor membrane components. Periaxin (Prx), a PDZ domain protein involved in myelin sheath stabilization, is also a component of adhaerens plaques in lens fiber cells. Here we show that Prx is expressed in lens fibers and exhibits maturation dependent redistribution, clustering discretely at the tricellular junctions in mature fiber cells. Prx exists in a macromolecular complex with proteins involved in membrane organization including ankyrin-B, spectrin, NrCAM, filensin, ezrin and desmoyokin. Importantly, Prx knockout mouse lenses were found to be softer and more easily deformed than normal lenses, revealing disruptions in fiber cell hexagonal packing, membrane skeleton and membrane stability. These observations suggest a key role for Prx in maturation, packing, and membrane organization of lens fiber cells. Hence, there may be functional parallels between the roles of Prx in membrane stabilization of the myelin sheath and the lens fiber cell.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Maddala, R; Skiba, NP; Lalane, R; Sherman, DL; Brophy, PJ; Rao, PV
Published Date
- September 1, 2011
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 357 / 1
Start / End Page
- 179 - 190
PubMed ID
- 21745462
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC3164832
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1095-564X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.06.036
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States