The Story of the Finest Armor: Developmental Aspects of Reptile Skin

January 2023 in “ Journal of Developmental Biology ”

Melodi Yenmiş, Dinçer Ayaz

TLDR Reptile skin protects and prevents water loss, helping them adapt to land.

The document reviews the development and structure of reptile skin, emphasizing its role as a protective barrier. Reptile skin consists of the epidermis and dermis, with the epidermis containing keratinocytes that have intermediate filament keratins (IFKs) and corneous beta proteins (CBPs). These proteins form the stratum corneum, providing mechanical protection and preventing water loss. The evolutionary significance of CBPs, unique to sauropsids and encoded by the Epidermal Differential Complex (EDC) locus, is highlighted. The review also explores the diversity of epidermal appendages like scales, scutes, beaks, and claws, which have enabled reptiles to adapt to terrestrial environments.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Review: Evolution And Diversification Of Corneous Beta-Proteins, The Characteristic Epidermal Proteins Of Reptiles And Birds

72 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution”

Corneous beta-proteins evolved uniquely in reptiles and birds, forming scales, claws, beaks, and feathers.

research The Process of Cornification Evolved From the Initial Keratinization in the Epidermis and Epidermal Derivatives of Vertebrates: A New Synthesis and the Case of Sauropsids

73 citations , January 2016 in “International review of cell and molecular biology”

Cornification evolved from keratinization in vertebrates, with differences between mammals and sauropsids.

research Genomic Organization, Transcriptomic Analysis, and Functional Characterization of Avian Alpha- and Beta-Keratins in Diverse Feather Forms

72 citations , August 2014 in “Genome Biology and Evolution”

Feather diversity is due to different keratin gene combinations, and chickens can help study human keratin diseases.

research Trichohyalin-Like Proteins Have Evolutionarily Conserved Roles in the Morphogenesis of Skin Appendages

68 citations , April 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Trichohyalin-like proteins are essential for the development of skin structures like hair, nails, and feathers.

research Cell Death by Cornification

375 citations , June 2013 in “Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular cell research”

Cornification is how skin cells die to form the protective outer layer of skin, hair, and nails.

research Cornification in Reptilian Epidermis Occurs Through the Deposition of Keratin-Associated Beta-Proteins (Beta-Keratins) Onto a Scaffold of Intermediate Filament Keratins

33 citations , October 2012 in “Journal of Morphology”

Reptile skin hardens by layering beta-proteins on keratin.

research Structure and Mechanical Properties of Human Trichocyte Keratin Intermediate Filament Protein

51 citations , September 2012 in “Biomacromolecules”

Disulfide bonds make keratin in hair stronger and tougher.

research Identification of Reptilian Genes Encoding Hair Keratin-Like Proteins Suggests a New Scenario for the Evolutionary Origin of Hair

115 citations , November 2008 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

Reptiles have genes similar to hair proteins, suggesting hair's genetic origins predate mammals.

research Embryonic Keratinization in Vertebrates in Relation to Land Colonization

44 citations , May 2008 in “Acta Zoologica”

Keratinization in embryos helped vertebrates adapt to land by forming a protective skin barrier.

research Structural and Immunocytochemical Characterization of Keratinization in Vertebrate Epidermis and Epidermal Derivatives

82 citations , January 2006 in “International review of cytology”

Vertebrate skin evolved to be more specialized and complex, especially in land animals.

research Hair Follicle Differentiation And Regulation

199 citations , January 2004 in “The International Journal of Developmental Biology”

Hair follicle growth and development are controlled by specific genes and molecular signals.

research Hard and Soft Principles Defining the Structure, Function, and Regulation of Keratin Intermediate Filaments

686 citations , February 2002 in “Current Opinion in Cell Biology”

Keratin filaments are crucial for cell structure and protection, with ongoing discoveries about their genes and functions.