[Change of alpha-crystallin acting as molecular chaperone activity with ageing].

Purpose: To evaluate the molecular chaperone function of alpha-crystallin with ageing.

Methods: alpha-Crystallin of newborn, adult and old rabbits lenses in both of cortex and nucleus were separated by chromatography on Sephacryl S-300HR. The protection of alpha-crystallin against thermal aggregation of catalase and beta L-crystallin (60 degrees C), inactivation of catalase by fructose(37 degrees C) and heat stress(60 degrees C) were measured spectrophotometrically.