Characterization of fish lens crystallins: models of protein adaptation for solubility and cold tolerance

Beta-gamma-crystallins are ubiquitous in vertebrate eye lens. They are long-lived, highly stable proteins that contribute to the refractive index necessary for proper vision. Previously, studies found that thermal and chemical stabilities of crystallins are not necessarily correlated with one another. This is particularly interesting because it means that the properties influencing protein stability and solubility can conflict with one another. Less stable, more flexible structures are present in cold-adapted lens proteins.