Can fluorescent post-translational modifications in crystallins provide a sensitive and quantitate diagnostics of cataract?

Cataract is a universal cause of blindness all over the world. It is caused by a loss of the normal transparency of the crystalline eye lens. The formation of cataract is largely related to metabolic disorders and ageing either of which is accompanied by massive formation of post-translational modifications in crystallins. Current methods of diagnostics based on light scattering enable a detection of cataract at advanced stages when only a surgical operation can be used to restore vision. Novel more sensitive and quantitative methods for detection of early stages of cataracts are in great demand. I will discuss a fluorescence-based method for quantification of concentration of fluorescent post-translational modifications in the eye lens proteins and correlate them with a grade of cataract. A possibility of using this method in drug research for therapeutic treatment of cataracts of will be also discussed.