Beta-keratin
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(Redirected from Β-keratins)
β-keratin or beta-keratin (not to be confused with β-carotene) is rich in stacked β pleated sheets, in contrast to alpha-keratin, a fibrous protein rich in alpha helices.
β-keratin is found in reptiles.[1][2] It adds much more rigidity to reptilian skin than alpha-keratin does to mammalian skin.
β-keratin is impregnated into the stratum corneum of the reptilian skin, providing waterproofing and the prevention of desiccation. Bird's Beaks, claws and feathers are also made from β-keratin.
[edit] References
- ^ Dalla Valle L, Nardi A, Belvedere P, Toni M, Alibardi L (July 2007). "Beta-keratins of differentiating epidermis of snake comprise glycine-proline-serine-rich proteins with an avian-like gene organization". Dev. Dyn. 236 (7): 1939–53. doi:. PMID 17576619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.21202.
- ^ Dalla Valle L, Nardi A, Toffolo V, Niero C, Toni M, Alibardi L (February 2007). "Cloning and characterization of scale beta-keratins in the differentiating epidermis of geckoes show they are glycine-proline-serine-rich proteins with a central motif homologous to avian beta-keratins". Dev. Dyn. 236 (2): 374–88. doi:. PMID 17191254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.21022.
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