Seven crystallin transcripts were also amongst the set of downregulated genes (with Crybb2 and Crybb3 mRNA detected in cones); crystallins have been shown to be upregulated in many retinal degeneration models55 be exacerbated by the lack of α-crystallins and attenuated by their overexpression56, suggesting they may have a protective role during retinal degeneration against oxidative stress. This evidence concerns the gene CRYBB2 and retinal degeneration.