3D structure of the native α-crystallin from bovine eye lens.

α-Crystallin is the major eye lens protein that has been shown to support lens transparency by preventing the aggregation of lens proteins. The 3D structure of α-crystallin is largely unknown. Electron microscopy, single-particle 3D reconstruction, size exclusion chromatography, dynamic light scattering, and analytical ultracentrifugation were used to study the structure of the native α-crystallin.