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Alpha-keratin, or α-keratin, is a type of keratin found in mammalian vertebrates. This protein is the primary component in hairs , horns , claws , nails and the epidermis layer of the skin . α-keratin is a fibrous structural protein , meaning it is made up of amino acids that form a repeating secondary structure.
Keratin (/ ˈ k ɛr ə t ɪ n / [1] [2]) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins. It is the key structural material making up scales , hair , nails , feathers , horns , claws , hooves , and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates.
The first sequences of keratins revealed that keratins could be grouped into two categories based on their sequence homologies. [1] [2] These two groups of keratins were named as type I and type II keratins. [2]
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II. The molecular structure and elastic properties of hair keratin", Trans. R. Soc. Lond., A232, 333–394. Astbury WT and Sisson WA. (1935) "X-ray studies of the structures of hair, wool and related fibres. III. The configuration of the keratin molecule and its orientation in the biological cell", Proc. R. Soc. Lond., A150, 533–551.
At the start of the article we can read "Alpha-keratin, or α-keratin, is a type of keratin found in mammals." But it seems that the epidermal appendages of reptiles and birds are characterized by the presence of both alpha (α) and beta (β) type keratin proteins.--Furado 20:23, 24 July 2018 (UTC)
Overall, keratin type 2 plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength and integrity of the skin, hair, and nails. Mutations in keratin genes can lead to various genetic disorders that affect these tissues, such as epidermolysis bullosa simplex, a rare condition characterized by blistering and erosion of the skin and mucous membranes. [3]
Similar to other intermediate filament subunit proteins, a prevalent secondary structure exists: a well-preserved, central alpha-helical domain made up of four coiled-coil segments along with non-helical end-terminal domains that vary in sequences and lengths [14]. Recent findings suggest that the interaction between acidic and basic soft ...