Alpha-crystallin domain (ACD) of metazoan alpha-crystallin-type small(s) heat shock proteins (Hsps). sHsps are small stress induced proteins with monomeric masses between 12 -43 kDa, whose common feature is the Alpha-crystallin domain (ACD). sHsps are generally active as large oligomers consisting of multiple subunits, and are believed to be ATP-independent chaperones that prevent aggregation and are important in refolding in combination with other Hsps.