Structural Studies on the Microfibrillar Proteins of Wool: Characterization of the a-Helix-Rich Particle Produced by Chymotryptic Digestion

Abstract

The oc-helix-rich particle produced bychymotryptic digestion of the reduced and alkylated microfibrillar proteins of wool was characterized by physicochemical methods. The preparations were homogeneous with respect to size and the particle molecular weight was found to be 50200 ± 2 000. Hydrodynamic methods indicated a length of about 20 nm for the particle. The properties of the particle, derived from two methods of isolation of the microfibrillar proteins, were identical and were also independent of the type of wool used.