Characterization of beta-keratins in lizard epidermis: electrophoresis, immunocytochemical and in situ-hybridization study |
| |
Authors: | Toni M Alibardi L |
| |
Institution: | Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica Sperimentale, University of Bologna, via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy |
| |
Abstract: | Lizard scales are composed of alpha-(cyto-) keratins and beta-keratins. The characterization of the molecular weight and isoelectric point (pI) of alpha- and beta-keratins of lizard epidermis (Podarcis sicula) has been done by using two-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. Antibodies against cytokeratins, against a chicken scale beta-keratin or against lizard beta-keratin bands of 15-16 kDa, have been used to recognize alpha- and beta-keratins. Acid and basic cytokeratins of 42-67 kDa show a pI from 5.0 to 8.9. This indicates the presence of specific keratins for the formation of the stratum corneum. Main protein spots of beta-keratin at 15-17 kDa, and pI at 8.5, 8.2, and 6.7, and one spot at 10 kDa and pI at 7.3 were recognized. Therefore, beta-keratins are mainly basic proteins, and are used for the formation of the hard corneous layer of the epidermis. Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry confirms that beta-keratin is packed into large and dense bundles of beta-keratin cells of lizard epidermis. The use of a probe against a lizard beta-keratin in situ-hybridization studies confirms that the mRNA for beta-keratins is present in beta-cells and is localized around or even associated with beta-keratin filaments. |
| |
Keywords: | Lepidosaurian reptiles Scales keratins Two-dimensional electrophoresis Immunoblotting In situ hybridization |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect PubMed 等数据库收录! |
|