Alpha crystallins are composed of two gene products , alpha-A and alpha-B, for acidic and basic, respectively. Alpha crystallins can be induced by heat shock and are members of the small heat shock protein(sHSP also known as the HSP20). They act as molecular chaperones and hold them in in large soluble aggregates. These heterogeneous aggregates consist of 30-40 subunits, the alpha-A and alpha-B subunits have a 3:1 ratio, respectively. Two additional functions of alpha-crystallins are an autokinase activity and participation in the intracellular architecture. Alpha-B is expressed widely in many tissues and organs and occurs in many neurological diseases. Alternative Names: CRYAB protein, Rosenthal fiber component protein, , Renal carcinoma protein NY-REN-27 protein, AACRYA protein, Crystallin alpha polypeptide 2 protein, CTPP 2 protein, NY REN 27 protein protein, Heat shock protein beta 5 protein, HspB5 protein, CRYAB (Crystallin alpha B) protein, Renal carcinoma protein NY REN 27 protein, Alpha(B) crystallin protein, Heat shock 20 kD like protein protein, CTPP2 protein, Alpha crystallin B chain protein, CRYA2 protein, Heat shock protein beta-5 protein