The concentration of the tryptophan metabolite xanthurenic acid (xan) increases in the eye with age. The photo-excitation of xan in the presence of the α-crystallin lens protein has been shown to result in the polymerization of the α-crystallin, hence a possible mechanism for the formation of cataracts. An alternative mechanism for the role of xan, in the formation of cataracts, is the 1-electron oxidation leading to the xan radical. This poster will present ESR data showing the detection of xan radical formed from peroxidase/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. Additionally the detection of peroxidase-associated polymerization of α-crystallin will be presented.

Oxidation of α-crystallin Len protein resulting from xanthurenic acid radical

249th National Meeting (2015)

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