Expression data from lens epithelial cells (LECs) from Shumiya cataract rats (SCR) with or without cataract (Cat+ or Cat-)

The Shumiya cataract rat (SCR) is a model for hereditary cataract. Two-third of these rats develop lens opacity within 10-11-weeks. Onset of cataract is attributed to the synergetic effect of lanosterol synthase (Lss) and farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (Fdft1) mutant alleles that lead to cholesterol deficiency in the lenses, which in turn adversely affects lens biology including the growth and differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs). Nevertheless, the molecular events and changes in gene expression associated with the onset of lens opacity in SCR is poorly understood. Our study aimed to identify the gene expression patterns during cataract formation in SCRs, which may be responsible for cataractogenesis in SCR. Total RNA from each LEC sample obtained from 5-week-old cataractous (Cat+) SCR with Lss mutation and non-cataractous (Cat-) SCRs without Lss mutation as control were used for the Affymetrix microarray analysis.