中文摘要：

α晶体蛋白是构成晶状体的重要结构蛋白,属于小分子热休克蛋白（sHSPs）家族,除了具有热休克蛋白（HSPs）的共性,还具有抗细胞凋亡等作用。近年来研究还发现,α晶体蛋白可与视网膜神经节细胞（RGCs）的细胞膜结合来促进RGCs的存活和轴突的再生,进而部分改善视功能,但其相关机制仍无统一的结论。本文就α晶体蛋白的基本结构与功能、α晶体蛋白在视神经损伤后对RGCs的保护作用及其机制展开综述。

英文摘要：

α- crystallin is the predominant structural protein in the lens. It is a member of small heat shock proteins（ sHSPs）which has the common functions of HSPs. It also has anti- apoptotic activity etc. Recently,it has been proved to combine with the cellular membrane of retinal ganglion cells（ RGCs） to enhance the survival of RGCs and the regeneration of axons, thereby partly restore visual function. But we haven＇t come to a unified conclusion of the mechanism. This review is focused on structure and functions of α- crystallin,the protection function and mechanism of α- crystallin towards RGCs after the optic nerve injury.