The Molecular Architecture for the Intermediate Filaments of Hard α -Keratin Based on the Superlattice Data Obtained from a Study of Mammals Using Synchrotron Fibre Diffraction

Journal Article · 01 January 2011 · Biochemistry Research International

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/198325 · OSTI ID:1198197

James, Veronica ^[1]

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1. Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia

High- and low-angle X-ray diffraction studies of hard α -keratin have been studied, and various models have been proposed over the last 70 years. Most of these studies have been confined to one or two forms of alpha keratin. This high- and low-angle synchrotron fibre diffraction study extends the study to cover all available data for all known forms of hard α -keratin including hairs, fingernails, hooves, horn, and quills from mammals, marsupials, and a monotreme, and it confirms that the model proposed is universally acceptable for all mammals. A complete Bragg analysis of the meridional diffraction patterns, including multiple-time exposures to verify any weak reflections, verified the existence of a superlattice consisting of two infinite lattices and three finite lattices. An analysis of the equatorial patterns establishes the radii of the oligomeric levels of dimers, tetramers, and intermediate filaments (IFs) together with the centre to centre distance for the IFs, thus confirming the proposed helices within helices molecular architecture for hard α -keratin. The results verify that the structure proposed by Feughelman and James meets the criteria for a valid α -keratin structure.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
• Grant/Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 1198197
• Journal Information: Biochemistry Research International, Journal Name: Biochemistry Research International Vol. 2011; ISSN 2090-2247
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing CorporationCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English