AIM:To evaluate the effects of Beta-B2 crystallin(CRYBB2)knockout on autophagy of mouse lens.

METHODS:Six-month-old WT and Crybb2^KO mice were selected respectively. The morphological changes of autophagy of lens were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of autophagy related proteins in the two groups were detected by Western blot method.

RESULTS:Compared with the control group, transmission electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria was accumulated and the number of autophagosomes in lens were higher in Crybb2^KO mice. The relative expression of LC3B in Crybb2^KO group was lower(0.09±0.01 vs 0.26±0.05). The P62 protein and p-mTOR(0.64±0.09 and 0.41±0.03)was higher than WT group(0.43±0.07 and 0.27±0.02).

CONCLUSION:The deletion of CRYBB2 may affect the process of lens autophagy by mTOR pathway and lead to cataract formation.