Fig. 7. Expression of MIP in SPARC-null lens. (A) An immunoblot of SPARC^+/+ and SPARC-null (^-/-) lens fiber lysates (from 3 month-old lenses) with antibody against MIP 26. (B) RT-PCR of lens fiber cells (3 month-old) with MIP 26 primers. MIP 26 protein and mRNA are present in both fiber cell samples, with minimal differences.

(C,D) Cross-sections through the lens cortex showing 2-month-old lens fiber cells stained with antibody against MIP 26 in ^+/+ (C) and ^-/- lenses (D). The closely packed organization of lens fibers is disrupted in 2-month-old lenses. Bar (C,D), 18 µm.

Intact lenses (1 month) were weighed immediately after dissection from the eyeballs (wet weight). Each lens was dried in an oven at 90°C for 16 hours and was weighed again (dry weight).