keratiinirakenteen

Keratiinirakenteen refers to the structural organization of keratin, a key protein found in the epidermal layer of skin and in the appendages of the skin, such as hair, nails, and feathers. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that is rich in sulfur-containing amino acids, particularly cysteine. The unique properties of keratin are directly linked to its intricate three-dimensional structure.

This structure is primarily alpha-helical, meaning the polypeptide chains are coiled into a spiral shape. These alpha-helices then twist around each other to form protofilaments. Multiple protofilaments associate to create protofibrils, and then these protofibrils bundle together to form larger filaments known as intermediate filaments. These intermediate filaments are then embedded within a cellular matrix, providing strength and resilience. The disulfide bonds formed between cysteine residues play a crucial role in stabilizing this complex structure, making keratin highly resistant to mechanical stress and chemical degradation. Variations in the arrangement and cross-linking of these keratin filaments contribute to the diverse properties observed in different keratinized structures, from the flexible strands of hair to the rigid hardness of a claw. The term keratiinirakenteen thus encompasses this hierarchical assembly from amino acids to macroscopic structures.