Light-scattering studies of cation-stimulated filament assembly of newborn rat epidermal keratin.
Effects of CaCl2 on in vitro polymerization of keratin extracted from cornified cells of newborn rat were investigated by means of light-scattering and supramolecular structures. Elongation and parallel assembly of filaments occurred with addition of CaCl2 to dialyzed keratin solutions and was detected by an increase in light-scattering intensity. Nonfibrous aggregates which occurred in higher buffer concentrations and in lower pH were also recorded as intensity increased. MgCl2, ZnCl2, and GdCl3 demonstrated similar effects, but NaCl and KCl showed no effect.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002021:Buffers; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D002413:Cations, Divalent / Q000494:pharmacology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008027:Light; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000494:pharmacology; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
D002021:Buffers; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D007633:Keratins; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc; D002122:Calcium Chloride