Dataset for Lipid and Cholesterol Peroxidation Leads to α-Crystallin Membrane Aggregation and Cataract Formation
Nawal K. Khadka, Preston G. Hazen, Oluwaseyi Akinola, Xinzhu Pu, Laxman Mainali · 2025
Purpose: The significant lens chaperone protein α-crystallin (αABc) comprising αA-crystallin (αAc) and αB-crystallin (αBc) subunits is found to form membrane-bound aggregates with age and cataract formation. However, the molecular basis for such aggregate formation is still unclear. Our research aims to elucidate the effect of lipids (phospholipids and sphingolipids) and cholesterol (Chol) peroxidation on the aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc to bovine lens nuclear membrane (NM). Methods: Lipid and Chol peroxidation were induced by photosensitized peroxidation reaction, and topographical images of NM and oxidized-NM (Ox-NM) with and without incubation with αAc, αBc, or αABc were obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results: The percentage of membrane area occupied (PMAO) on NM by aggregation of αAc, αBc, or αABc with NM was significantly smaller without lipid and Chol peroxidation in NM. However, with lipid and Chol peroxidation in NM, the PMAO on Ox-NM by aggregation of αAc, αBc, or αABc with Ox-NM was significantly more extensive, and PMAO increases with an increase in lipid and Chol peroxidation. Large-size aggregates of αAc, αBc, or αABc on Ox-NM with the depressed central region for αAc and αABc aggregates on Ox-NM were observed at the greater extent of lipid and Chol peroxidation. Conclusions: Lipid and Chol peroxidation induce membrane defects on NM followed by extensive aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc on Ox-NM, suggesting that lipid and Chol peroxidation promotes aggregation of αAc, αBc, and αABc to Ox-NM and formation of such large aggregates likely promote increased light scattering and cataract formation.