
%0 Journal Article
%A O'donnell, IJ 
%T A Search for a Simple Keratin?The Precursor Keratin Proteins From Cow's Lip Epidermis
%J Australian Journal of Biological Sciences
%D 1971/12/01
%V 24
%N 4
%P 1219-1234
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/BI9711219
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/BI9711219 
%X In searching for a material which might contain a homogeneous keratin protein as a major constituent, an examination was made of a soluble keratin precursor from cow's lip epidermis. Formic acid was used as extractant. Assessment of homogeneity was based on behaviour on DEAE-cellulose and on a consideration of the radioactively labelled peptides in a size-charge peptide map of [14C]S-carboxymethylcysteine. containing peptides from an enzyme digest. It is concluded that there is no major homogeneous keratin precursor in cow's lip epidermis and that a family of closely related proteins is present. The situation resembles that found in another a·keratin, wool. There is evidence for the existence of a fraction, amounting to 6-8% of the total protein, of higher sulphur content than the remainder of the protein both in the soluble precursor protein and in the stratum corneum. 
