Figure 14

Proposed model of DNA damage-induced cataract. In the upper panel, the normal process of differentiation from LEC to lens fiber cells (LFC) comprises loss of the nuclear envelope (in black) and consequent degradation of the nucleus (in light blue color). In the lower panel, X-ray-induced DNA damage causes an increase of p21, which impedes the disassembly of the nuclear envelope, thus impairing differentiation and leading to cataract formation.