3-D Model of αB crystallin (IMAGE)
Caption
This is a three-dimensional reconstruction of αB crystallin by electron microscopy reveals a sphere-like structure with large openings to the interior of the protein. In the human eye, this molecular machine serves as a "chaperone" to guide protein folding and prevent aggregation such as that responsible for cataracts. Better understanding of this 3-D structure could serve as the basis for comparing healthy and disease-promoting mutants and, based on this, for clarifying the way they function. The scientists hope that this will lead to the discovery of new treatments.
Credit
Dept. of Chemistry, Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM)
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Please note: Used by permission of the Dept. of Chemistry, Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM), all rights reserved.
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