An Investigation Into the Action of Transglutaminase on Human Hair

This research investigated whether guinea pig liver transglutaminase could modify human hair by targeting glutamine residues. Despite using optical and isotope assays to monitor activity, no conclusive evidence of transglutaminase's biocatalytic activity on virgin hair was found. The study's sensitivity was significantly higher than needed to detect reactions, contradicting previous findings that suggested transglutaminase could cross-link glutamine and lysine on hair. The presence of a fatty acid layer on the hair surface might have limited the reaction. Future research could explore transglutaminase applications that do not rely on hair donating endogenous residues.