The combined effect of acetylation and glycation on the chaperone and anti-apoptotic functions of human α-crystallin

► Lysine acetylation inhibits advanced glycation end product formation in α-crystallin. ► Lysine acetylation inhibits the loss of chaperone function by ascorbate glycation in α-crystallin. ► Lysine acetylation further improves the chaperone function of methylglyoxal-modified α-crystallin. ► Lysine acetylation improves the anti-apoptotic function of α-crystallin.