Precursor keratin protein from human epidermis

Abstract
Prekeratin was isolated from human epidermis using the method of Matoltsy for bovine nose epidermis. Analysis by sedimentation equilibrium indicates that human prekeratin is heterogeneous in solution. The MW range is from about 200 .times. 103 to at least 2 .times. 106. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows 3 polypeptide chains of MW 65,000, 60,000 and 58,000. A lower than average ratio of polar/apolar amino acid residues suggests that hydrophobic interactions are important for stability.