Initial Crystallin Synthesis and Lens Fibre Formation are Independent of Lens Morphogenesis

Abstract

IF the part of a chick embryo destined to form the eye, the lens, part of the brain and the surrounding head region (Fig. 1) is removed before the lens has begun to develop and placed in liquid culture medium for 4 days, a structure resembling the lens will form appropriately near the presumptive retina^1,2. Similarly the cells of the lens will synthesize the proteins unique to and characteristic of the lens (Figs. 2, 3).