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  • Title: Immunolocalization and characterization of cornification proteins in snake epidermis.
    Author: Alibardi L, Toni M.
    Journal: Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol; 2005 Feb; 282(2):138-46. PubMed ID: 15635676.
    Abstract:
    Little is known about specific proteins involved in keratinization of the epidermis of snakes, which is composed of alternating beta- and alpha-keratin layers. Using immunological techniques (immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting), the present study reports the presence in snake epidermis of proteins with epitopes that cross-react with certain mammalian cornification proteins (loricrin, filaggrin, sciellin, transglutaminase) and chick beta-keratin. alpha-keratins were found in all epidermal layers except in the hard beta- and alpha-layers. beta-keratins were exclusively present in the oberhautchen and beta-layer. After extraction and electrophoresis, alpha-keratins of 40-67 kDa in molecular weights were found. Loricrin-like proteins recorded molecular weights of 33, 50, and 58 kDa; sciellin, 55 and 62 kDa; filaggrin-like, 52 and 65 kDa; and transglutaminase, 45, 50, and 56 kDa. These results suggest that alpha-layers of snake epidermis utilize proteins with common epitopes to those present during cornification of mammalian epidermis. The beta-keratin antibody on extracts from whole snake epidermis showed a strong cross-reactive band at 13-16 kDa. No cross-reactivity was seen using an antibody against feather beta-keratin, indicating absence of a common epitope between snake and feather keratins.
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