Abstract

Light scattering experiments were performed on bovine βH crystallin, an important protein component of the mammalian eye lens. Light scattering results are compared to simplified models for the free energy of mixing of β crystallins with water. The static light scattering data are well-represented by hard convex body equations of state having dimensionless non-sphericity coefficients of close to 2, compatible with prolate spherocylinders, and weight-average molecular weights ranging between 2−5×105 g/mole. Additionally, quasi-elastic light scattering data was obtained which shows that βH has a hydrodynamic radius near 7.3 nm. These experiments extend light scattering work on β crystallins well into the realm of concentrations in which short-range order between proteins dramatically reduces light scattering efficiency, as occurs in the eye lens cytoplasm.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Eye--Molecular aspects; Crystalline lens; Proteins--Analysis; Light--Scattering

Publication Date

12-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Physics (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Physics and Astronomy (COS)

Advisor

Michael Kotlarchyk

Advisor/Committee Member

David Ross

Advisor/Committee Member

Lishibanya Mohapatra

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

PHYS-MS

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