CRYBA4
Description
The CRYBA4 (crystallin beta A4) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 22.
Beta-crystallin A4 is a protein encoded by the CRYBA4 gene in humans. Crystallins are classified into two categories: taxon-specific (enzymes) and ubiquitous. The ubiquitous crystallins are the primary components of the vertebrate eye lens, responsible for maintaining its transparency and refractive index. These crystallins are extremely stable and are synthesized during development and retained throughout life, as lens central fiber cells lose their nuclei. Mammalian lens crystallins are categorized into alpha, beta, and gamma families, with beta and gamma crystallins considered as a superfamily. Alpha and beta families are further divided into acidic and basic groups. Crystallins share seven structural regions: four homologous motifs, a connecting peptide, and N- and C-terminal extensions. Beta-crystallins, the most diverse, are distinguished by the presence of a C-terminal extension (in the basic group, absent in the acidic group). They form aggregates of varying sizes and can self-associate to create dimers or heterodimers with other beta-crystallins. This gene, a member of the beta acidic group, is part of a gene cluster alongside beta-B1, beta-B2, and beta-B3.
CRYBA4, also known as Beta-A4 crystallin, is a major structural component of the vertebrate eye lens.
CRYBA4 is also known as CTRCT23, CYRBA4, MCOPCT4.
