Cornified Epithelial Teeth of Jawless Vertebrates Contain Proteins Similar to Keratin-Associated Proteins of Mammalian Skin Appendages

May 2025 in “ Journal of Developmental Biology ”

Attila Placido Sachslehner, David Parry, Leopold Eckhart

keratin-associated proteins KRTAP keratin-associated protein-like KRTAPL mass spectrometry-based proteomics cysteine tyrosine keratin proteomics

TLDR Jawless vertebrates have teeth proteins similar to those in mammalian hair and nails.

The study examines the presence of keratin-associated protein-like (KRTAPL) proteins in the cornified epithelial teeth of jawless vertebrates, specifically lampreys, using mass spectrometry-based proteomics. These proteins share similarities with mammalian keratin-associated proteins (KRTAPs) found in hair and nails, such as high cysteine and tyrosine content, but differ in gene structure, having two exons instead of one. The research suggests that these proteins evolved through convergent evolution, indicating an evolutionary parallel in the development of structural proteins across different species. The study highlights the need for further research into the expression and function of KRTAPLs in lampreys.

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Cornified Epithelial Teeth of Jawless Vertebrates Contain Proteins Similar to Keratin-Associated Proteins of Mammalian Skin Appendages

Research cited in this study

research Skin Appendage Proteins of Tetrapods: Building Blocks of Claws, Feathers, Hair, and Other Cornified Epithelial Structures

research Ancient Lineages of the Keratin-Associated Protein (KRTAP) Genes and Their Co-Option in the Evolution of the Hair Follicle

research The Susceptibility of Disulfide Bonds to Modification in Keratin Fibers Undergoing Tensile Stress

research The Complexity of the Ovine and Caprine Keratin-Associated Protein Genes

research Convergent Evolution of Cysteine-Rich Keratins in Hard Skin Appendages of Terrestrial Vertebrates

research Diversity of Trichocyte Keratins and Keratin-Associated Proteins

research Evolution of Trichocyte Keratins

research Wool Keratin-Associated Protein Genes in Sheep: A Review

research Mammalian Keratin-Associated Proteins (KRTAPs) Subgenomes: Disentangling Hair Diversity and Adaptation to Terrestrial and Aquatic Environments

research Bidirectional Binding Property of High Glycine–Tyrosine Keratin-Associated Protein Contributes to the Mechanical Strength and Shape of Hair

research Identification of the C-Terminal Tail Domain of AHF/Trichohyalin as the Critical Site for Modulation of the Keratin Filamentous Meshwork in the Keratinocyte

research Comparative Genomics of the Keratin-Associated Protein Gene Clusters in Human, Chimpanzee, and Baboon

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