Intermediate filament structure of alpha-keratin in baboon hair. 1995

V J James, and K E Wilk, and J F McConnell, and E P Baranov, and Y Amemiya
School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.

High-quality photographic recording of X-ray diffraction data from the hard alpha-keratins has mainly been limited to that from porcupine quill. Earlier diffraction patterns of hair have shown very few reflections. In the present study, extensive sets of high-quality data have been obtained using a synchrotron source and an image plate detector, revealing information about the internal structure, both axial and lateral. The diffraction patterns of hair from six different baboons have been examined. The meridional axial diffraction data reveal evidence of the superposition of three and possibly four separate lattices. Despite considerable overlapping, sufficient reflections unique to each lattice have been observed. These lattices comprise an infinite one of 46.76 nm, together with finite lattices of 19.67, 27.20 and 7.27 nm. These patterns reveal information regarding the fibrillar structure of the hair fibres, namely that it consists basically of cylindrical fibrils arranged in a disordered lattice. The mean diameters of these cylinders have been determined, together with their average separation. There is also an indication of the presence of another set of cylinders of smaller diameter, possibly comprising the microfibrils of keratin.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007382 Intermediate Filaments Cytoplasmic filaments intermediate in diameter (about 10 nanometers) between the microfilaments and the microtubules. They may be composed of any of a number of different proteins and form a ring around the cell nucleus. Tonofilaments,Neurofilaments,Filament, Intermediate,Filaments, Intermediate,Intermediate Filament,Neurofilament,Tonofilament
D007633 Keratins A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION. Cytokeratin,Keratin Associated Protein,Keratin,Keratin-Associated Proteins,alpha-Keratin,Associated Protein, Keratin,Keratin Associated Proteins,Protein, Keratin Associated,alpha Keratin
D010215 Papio A genus of the subfamily CERCOPITHECINAE, family CERCOPITHECIDAE, consisting of five named species: PAPIO URSINUS (chacma baboon), PAPIO CYNOCEPHALUS (yellow baboon), PAPIO PAPIO (western baboon), PAPIO ANUBIS (or olive baboon), and PAPIO HAMADRYAS (hamadryas baboon). Members of the Papio genus inhabit open woodland, savannahs, grassland, and rocky hill country. Some authors consider MANDRILLUS a subgenus of Papio. Baboons,Baboons, Savanna,Savanna Baboons,Baboon,Baboon, Savanna,Papios,Savanna Baboon
D006197 Hair A filament-like structure consisting of a shaft which projects to the surface of the SKIN from a root which is softer than the shaft and lodges in the cavity of a HAIR FOLLICLE. It is found on most surfaces of the body. Fetal Hair,Hair, Fetal,Lanugo,Fetal Hairs,Hairs,Hairs, Fetal
D000367 Age Factors Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time. Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014961 X-Ray Diffraction The scattering of x-rays by matter, especially crystals, with accompanying variation in intensity due to interference effects. Analysis of the crystal structure of materials is performed by passing x-rays through them and registering the diffraction image of the rays (CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, X-RAY). (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Xray Diffraction,Diffraction, X-Ray,Diffraction, Xray,Diffractions, X-Ray,Diffractions, Xray,X Ray Diffraction,X-Ray Diffractions,Xray Diffractions

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