Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids)
The epidermal appendages of birds and reptiles (the sauropsids) include claws, scales, and feathers. Each has specialized physical properties that facilitate movement, thermal insulation, defence mechanisms, and/or the catching of prey. The mechanical attributes of each of these appendages originate...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Genes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/591 |
| _version_ | 1797537332955447296 |
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| author | David A.D. Parry |
| author_facet | David A.D. Parry |
| author_sort | David A.D. Parry |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The epidermal appendages of birds and reptiles (the sauropsids) include claws, scales, and feathers. Each has specialized physical properties that facilitate movement, thermal insulation, defence mechanisms, and/or the catching of prey. The mechanical attributes of each of these appendages originate from its fibril-matrix texture, where the two filamentous structures present, i.e., the corneous ß-proteins (CBP or ß-keratins) that form 3.4 nm diameter filaments and the α-fibrous molecules that form the 7–10 nm diameter keratin intermediate filaments (KIF), provide much of the required tensile properties. The matrix, which is composed of the terminal domains of the KIF molecules and the proteins of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) (and which include the terminal domains of the CBP), provides the appendages, with their ability to resist compression and torsion. Only by knowing the detailed structures of the individual components and the manner in which they interact with one another will a full understanding be gained of the physical properties of the tissues as a whole. Towards that end, newly-derived aspects of the detailed conformations of the two filamentous structures will be discussed and then placed in the context of former knowledge. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:13:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9986364c15724187b4794a0febad7e01 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:13:37Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes |
| spelling | doaj.art-9986364c15724187b4794a0febad7e012023-11-21T16:00:26ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252021-04-0112459110.3390/genes12040591Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids)David A.D. Parry0School of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandThe epidermal appendages of birds and reptiles (the sauropsids) include claws, scales, and feathers. Each has specialized physical properties that facilitate movement, thermal insulation, defence mechanisms, and/or the catching of prey. The mechanical attributes of each of these appendages originate from its fibril-matrix texture, where the two filamentous structures present, i.e., the corneous ß-proteins (CBP or ß-keratins) that form 3.4 nm diameter filaments and the α-fibrous molecules that form the 7–10 nm diameter keratin intermediate filaments (KIF), provide much of the required tensile properties. The matrix, which is composed of the terminal domains of the KIF molecules and the proteins of the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC) (and which include the terminal domains of the CBP), provides the appendages, with their ability to resist compression and torsion. Only by knowing the detailed structures of the individual components and the manner in which they interact with one another will a full understanding be gained of the physical properties of the tissues as a whole. Towards that end, newly-derived aspects of the detailed conformations of the two filamentous structures will be discussed and then placed in the context of former knowledge.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/591corneous ß-proteinskeratin intermediate filamentsX-ray fiber diffraction |
| spellingShingle | David A.D. Parry Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) Genes corneous ß-proteins keratin intermediate filaments X-ray fiber diffraction |
| title | Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) |
| title_full | Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) |
| title_fullStr | Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) |
| title_short | Structures of the ß-Keratin Filaments and Keratin Intermediate Filaments in the Epidermal Appendages of Birds and Reptiles (Sauropsids) |
| title_sort | structures of the ss keratin filaments and keratin intermediate filaments in the epidermal appendages of birds and reptiles sauropsids |
| topic | corneous ß-proteins keratin intermediate filaments X-ray fiber diffraction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/12/4/591 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT davidadparry structuresoftheßkeratinfilamentsandkeratinintermediatefilamentsintheepidermalappendagesofbirdsandreptilessauropsids |