Isolation and Characterisation of Different Keratin Types From Human Epidermis

  • P. E. Bowden
  • W. J. Cunliffe
Conference paper

Abstract

The insoluble fibrous protein, keratin, represents a major differentiation product of human epidermis. It is located in the dead cells of the stratum corneum (corneocytes) where it forms an intracellular filament matrix. Two other major types of structural protein are found in the corneocyte: the histidine-rich stratum corneum basic proteins, recently named filaggrin, which are involved in filament matrix assembly and cross-linking; and the cell envelope protein, recently named involucrin which strengthens the corneocyte membrane by forming a covalently cross-linked shell of protein.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1983

Authors and Affiliations

  • P. E. Bowden
    • 1
  • W. J. Cunliffe
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of BiochemistryUniversity of Leeds and The General InfirmaryLeedsUK
  2. 2.Department of DermatologyUniversity of Leeds and The General InfirmaryLeedsUK

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