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 nucleus of adult chicken lens were separated and tested for the presence of heat 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 sections were also analyzed for the presence of heat shock proteins by immunoflorescence 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 chicken lens. Presence of hsps protein in the deep cortex and nucleus is intriguing as no detectable metabolic activities are reported in this area. However 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 denaturation. J. Cell. Biochem. 82:409–414, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.