NLM Logo

alpha-Crystallins MeSH Descriptor Data 2024


MeSH Heading
alpha-Crystallins
Tree Number(s)
D12.776.306.366.100
D12.776.580.157
Unique ID
D038201
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D038201
Scope Note
A subclass of crystallins that provides the majority of refractive power and translucency to the lens (LENS, CRYSTALLINE) in VERTEBRATES. Alpha-crystallins also act as molecular chaperones that bind to denatured proteins, keep them in solution and thereby maintain the translucency of the lens. The proteins exist as large oligomers that are formed from ALPHA-CRYSTALLIN A CHAIN and ALPHA-CRYSTALLIN B CHAIN subunits.
Entry Term(s)
Crystallins, alpha
alpha-Crystallin
Previous Indexing
Crystallins (1965-2002)
Public MeSH Note
2003; for ALPHA-CRYSTALLIN see CRYSTALLINS 1982-2002
History Note
2003; for ALPHA-CRYSTALLIN use CRYSTALLINS 1982-2002
Date Established
2003/01/01
Date of Entry
2002/07/02
Revision Date
2005/06/30
alpha-Crystallins Preferred
page delivered in 0.153s