Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

X-Ray Diffraction Patterns and Alpha–Beta Transformation of a Protein extracted from the Human Epidermis

Abstract

RECENTLY, a fibrous protein has been extracted by one of us from the cellular portion of the human epidermis with 75 per cent lithium bromide1. The first observable microscopic change in the extracted epidermis was a disruption of tonofibrils and intercellular bridges; coincidentally, the protein appeared as an amorphous mass within the Malpighian layer and between the granular and horny layers2. When treated with 60 per cent acetone and 4 per cent acetic acid, the protein formed a gel. This gel could be dried as a film on silicone-coated glass. The present communication reports the results of an X-ray investigation of this substance.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Roe, D. A., J. Invest. Dermat., 27, 8 (1956).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Roe, D. A., J. Invest. Dermat. (in the press).

  3. Rudall, K. M., Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 141, 39 (1953).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Rudall, K. M., Symposium on Fibrous Proteins, Soc. Dyers and Colorists, 15 (1946); “Advances in Protein Chemistry”, 7, 253 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Alexander, P., and Earland, C., Nature, 166, 396 (1950).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Alexander, P., Carter, D., Earland, C., and Mariner, P. F., Melliand's Textilberichte, 33, 187 (1952).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Happey, F., Nature, 166, 397 (1950).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

ROE, D., HEYN, A. X-Ray Diffraction Patterns and Alpha–Beta Transformation of a Protein extracted from the Human Epidermis. Nature 179, 266–267 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/179266a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/179266a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing