Part:BBa_K1898300

CRYAA, crystallin alpha A

This gene codes for CRYAA, also known as crystallin alpha A, a crystallin protein that is more restricted to the lens.

Usage and Biology

Alpha crystallin is the most abundant protein in the lens. Out of the two types of alpha crystallin proteins, alpha A is more restricted to the lens and has a 3:1 ratio to alpha B [1]. It has been found that crystallin alpha A has chaperone activity to maintain normal protein interaction [2].

In our project, we made CRYAA because we wanted to monitor crystallin protein's response to oxidative stress and to test our prevention and treatment for cataracts.

[1]Genes and mapped phenotypes. (n.d.). from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/1410

[2]Usha, A. P. (n.d.). Crystallins in the eye: Function and pathology. from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350946206000553

Sequence and Features

Assembly Compatibility:

• 10
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
• 12
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
• 21
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
• 23
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
• 25
  INCOMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]

  Illegal NgoMIV site found at 59
  
• 1000
  COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]

Gel Pictures

We digested CRYAA with Xbal and Pst1 enzymes. The expected band size is ~700 bp. In the gel picture shown below, lane 1 is 1kb ladder and bands with the expected size are boxed in red:

Sequencing

CRYAA DNA was sent to sequencing after it's moved into an iGEM backbone. The sequencing result confirms that CRYAA is right.

• The four enzyme cutting sites are highlighted in red
• CRYAA is highlighted in light blue