Changes in the X-ray diffraction pattern from lens during a solid-to-liquid phase transition

Regini, Justyn Wiktor ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6149-5893 and Meek, Keith Michael Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9948-7538 2009. Changes in the X-ray diffraction pattern from lens during a solid-to-liquid phase transition. Current Eye Research 34 (6) , pp. 492-500. 10.1080/02713680902919540

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the structural integrity of bovine lenses using small-angle X-ray diffraction techniques, before and after freezing, using both liquid nitrogen and a −20°C freezer to understand the molecular changes that occur and to see if any permanent structural changes result from the freezing and thawing process. Materials and Methods: We used small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate the effects of freezing whole bovine eye lenses (i) in liquid nitrogen and (ii) at −20°C, to better understand the structural basis of the phase transitions. Results: Lenses frozen in liquid nitrogen thawed more rapidly than those placed at −20°C. With both freezing methods, X-ray patterns taken during the thawing process indicated less protein order than before or after freezing. After both freezing methods, the X-ray reflection returned to its original spacing and close to its original intensity values before freezing. Conclusions: We explain these phenomena in terms of a simple model based on the melting of ice crystals. We also suggest that the liquid nitrogen method of freezing is probably the better method of cryo-preservation for maintaining lens crystallin order.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Optometry and Vision Sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology
Additional Information:	crystallin proteins, freezing and short-range order, ice crystals, lens, X-ray
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
ISSN:	0271-3683
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2022 09:57
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/22751

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