Background information
Phakinin is a membrane-associated and cytoskeletal intermediate filament (IF) protein specific to the eye lens. IFs are cytoskeletal structures that typically contain a head, rod and tail domain. Unlike most IFs, Phakinin completely lacks the C-terminal tail domain thus contributing to the unique structure of the beaded filament that is specific to the lens. Phakinin is required for the assembly of beaded filaments and cytoskeletal networks that are important for the long-term maintenance of optical properties and transparency of the lens. Phakinin copolymerizes with Filensin, another IF protein, to form the 10-nm filamentous structures of the beaded filaments. Phakinin is also capable of self-assembling into filament-like structures that form thicker bundles. Mutations in the gene encoding Phakinin can result in lens cataract.
