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Alpha-keratin, or α-keratin, is a type of keratin found in mammalian vertebrates. This protein is the primary component in hairs , horns , claws , nails and the epidermis layer of the skin . α-keratin is a fibrous structural protein , meaning it is made up of amino acids that form a repeating secondary structure.
The growth rate of hair varies from individual to individual depending on their age, genetic predisposition and a number of environmental factors. [14] It is commonly stated that hair grows about 1 cm per month on average; however reality is more complex, since not all hair grows at once.
Microscopy of keratin filaments inside cells. Keratin (/ ˈ k ɛr ə t ɪ n / [1] [2]) is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as scleroproteins.It is the key structural material making up scales, hair, nails, feathers, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of skin in vertebrates.
The relative alignment of the keratin fibrils significantly impacts the mechanical properties. In human hair the filaments of alpha keratin are highly aligned, giving a tensile strength of approximately 200MPa. This tensile strength is an order of magnitude higher than human nails (20MPa), because human hair's keratin filaments are more aligned ...
Overall, keratin type 2 plays a crucial role in maintaining the strength and integrity of the skin, hair, and nails. Mutations in keratin genes can lead to various genetic disorders that affect these tissues, such as epidermolysis bullosa simplex , a rare condition characterized by blistering and erosion of the skin and mucous membranes.
Keratohyalin is a protein structure found in cytoplasmic granules of the keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum of the epidermis.Keratohyalin granules (KHG) mainly consist of keratin, profilaggrin, [1] loricrin [2] and trichohyalin proteins which contribute to cornification or keratinization, the process of the formation of epidermal cornified cell envelope.
Size of a corneocyte is approximately 30-50 μm in diameter and 1 μm thick, and the average area of corneocytes at the surface of the skin reaches approximately 1000 μm 2, but may vary according to anatomical location, age and external environmental conditions such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation.
Type+I+Keratin at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Proteopedia page on keratins This protein -related article is a stub .