| Abstract: | Three species of human keratins are shown to have specific localizations within the epidermis. Using an immunohistochemical technique with rabbit antisera prepared against purified human keratins, two distinct epidermal domains were defined. The 45K and 46K MW keratins occur predominantly in the basal epidermal layer, whereas 55K keratin protein occurs chiefly in the suprabasal, differentiated squamous cells. Commitment of proliferating basal cells to terminal differentiation is accompanied by changes in the proportions of keratin species. |
