A new deformation model of hard alpha-keratin fibers at the nanometer scale: implications for hard alpha-keratin intermediate filament mechanical properties

Biophysical Journal
L KreplakJ Doucet

Abstract

The mechanical behavior of human hair fibers is determined by the interactions between keratin proteins structured into microfibrils (hard alpha-keratin intermediate filaments), a protein sulfur-rich matrix (intermediate filaments associated proteins), and water molecules. The structure of the microfibril-matrix assembly has already been fully characterized using electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering on unstressed fibers. However, these results give only a static image of this assembly. To observe and characterize the deformation of the microfibrils and of the matrix, we have carried out time-resolved small-angle x-ray microdiffraction experiments on human hair fibers stretched at 45% relative humidity and in water. Three structural parameters were monitored and quantified: the 6.7-nm meridian arc, which is related to an axial separation between groups of molecules along the microfibrils, the microfibril's radius, and the packing distance between microfibrils. Using a surface lattice model of the microfibril, we have described its deformation as a combination of a sliding process and a molecular stretching process. The radial contraction of the matrix is also emphasized, reinforcing the hydrophilic gel nature hyp...Continue Reading

References

Dec 1, 1976·Journal of Molecular Biology·R D FraserE Suzuki
Mar 1, 1986·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·R D FraserE Suzuki
Sep 1, 1982·The Journal of Cell Biology·L Milam, H P Erickson
Oct 1, 1983·The Journal of Cell Biology·U AebiT T Sun
Feb 20, 1998·Biophysical Chemistry·L N JonesD A Parry
Jun 19, 1998·Current Opinion in Structural Biology·H Herrmann, U Aebi
May 8, 1999·Biophysical Journal·R RohsR Lavery
Apr 20, 2000·International Journal of Biological Macromolecules·J W Hearle
Jun 9, 2000·Quarterly Reviews of Biophysics·D A Parry, P M Steinert
Jun 30, 2000·Acta Crystallographica. Section A, Foundations of Crystallography·B Busson, J Doucet
Oct 1, 1964·Journal of Molecular Biology·R D FRASERA MILLER

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 20, 2004·Journal of Molecular Biology·N MückeJ Langowski
Aug 29, 2013·Environmental Science & Technology·Xueqing XingZhonghua Wu
Aug 1, 2012·PloS One·Patrick FortierLaurent Kreplak
Jul 25, 2015·The British Journal of Dermatology·G A Camacho-BragadoH Bryant
Mar 21, 2015·Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·J JamartH Zahouani
May 11, 2016·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Thomas BornschlöglNawel Baghdadli
Sep 12, 2012·Biomacromolecules·Chia-Ching Chou, Markus J Buehler
Jun 16, 2006·Journal of Structural Biology·Yoshio KajiuraYoshiyuki Amemiya
Mar 18, 2016·PloS One·Richard J AlsopMaikel C Rheinstädter
Mar 16, 2005·The Journal of Cell Biology·Kelsie M BernotPierre A Coulombe
Aug 13, 2004·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Reinier L C Akkermans, Patrick B Warren
Dec 26, 2006·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·Laurent Kreplak, Douglas Fudge
Jul 28, 2005·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·Gabriel J BowenJames R Ehleringer
Nov 3, 2005·Physics in Medicine and Biology·Hwa Shik Youn, Suk-Won Jung
Nov 26, 2019·Physical Review Letters·Charlotta LorenzSarah Köster
Apr 21, 2017·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Asfia SoomroMaikel C Rheinstädter
Apr 7, 2015·Journal of Materials Chemistry. B, Materials for Biology and Medicine·Tianpei FuAli Miserez
May 9, 2009·Journal of Anatomy·Hermann H Bragulla, Dominique G Homberger
Dec 12, 2012·Chemical Society Reviews·Ali Miserez, Paul A Guerette
May 8, 2020·Molecules : a Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry·Alexander R M MüllnerHerwig Peterlik
Nov 1, 2005·Journal of Molecular Biology·L KreplakU Aebi
May 23, 2006·Journal of Structural Biology·B KissM S Z Kellermayer
Oct 9, 2009·Journal of Biomechanics·Zhao QinLaurent Kreplak

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.