Final answer:
Steroid binding proteins expressed by lens epithelial cells can affect gene expression, thus influencing protein synthesis, cellular metabolism, and various cellular processes such as proliferation and differentiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lens epithelial cells expressing steroid binding proteins implies that they are involved in gene expression that regulates various cellular processes. These proteins, upon binding with steroids, can act as intracellular receptors that modify the transcription of specific genes, affecting the synthesis of mRNA and consequently altering protein synthesis. Steroid hormones are known to regulate cell processes by entering the cells and binding to intracellular receptors, which can influence gene expression. The cell signaling pathways like the MAP-kinase cascade and those initiated by the binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its receptor are key to understanding the effects on protein expression, cellular metabolism, and cell division. These signaling pathways are important for cell proliferation, cell differentiation, apoptosis, glucose metabolism modulation, and signal transduction.