STUDY ON RECONSTITUTION OF KERATIN INTERMEDIATE FIBRILS AND PHYSICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES

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Keratins, which are the proteins bearing cysteine as much as 10 mole % of total amino acid residues, were extracted from wool and hair as a stable aqueous solution. A solubilization/extraction system was an aqueous solution of urea, 2-mercaptoethanol and a surfactant. Especially, long chain-alkyl sulfate sodium salts and polyoxyethylenedodecylsulfate sodium were effective to enhance the extraction rate. Chief constituents of the keratins ranged from 40000 to 60000 daltons.The keratins in the aqueous solution were refolded into fibrils of about 1-5 micrometers in diameter. The main proteins in the refolded fibrils came from the microfibrils of wool or hair.The keratin films or coatings (on glass) supported the L929 fibroblast cells in the degree better than collagen films or coatings. The cells attached well on the keratin substratum. The results were explained by the polar nature of the keratins and the presence of a RGD-amino acid sequence in the keratin component.