The alpha-crystallin 10S and 14S messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) for the B and A chains, respectively, were isolated from calf lenses. Initiation complexes were formed with both mRNAs after which the unprotected regions were digested with ribonuclease T1. A single fragment of approximately 45 nucleotides was obtained from both the 10S and 14S mRNAs. The fragments retained the ability to reform initiation complexes under standard conditions. Two-dimensional fractionation of ribonuclease T1 digests indicated considerable similarity between the 10S and 14S fragments. However, marked differences in the (U)G region were observed. The addition of the methylating agent S-adenosyl-L-methionine to the mRNA initiation system increases complex formation form two to five times, suggesting that methylation may be required for initiation.