Trichohyalin: Purification from Porcine Tongue Epithelium and Characterization of the Native Protein

The study focused on the purification and characterization of trichohyalin, a protein found in the inner root sheath and medulla of hair follicles, from porcine tongue epithelium. Trichohyalin was extracted and purified using gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography, revealing a doublet on SDS polyacrylamide gels with molecular weights of 195 and 210 kDa. The protein was identified as trichohyalin due to its molecular weight, amino acid composition, and localization in hair follicle structures. The study found that trichohyalin likely forms a dimer in solution, as evidenced by crosslinking experiments, and has a filamentous structure with a globular end-domain. This research provided a foundation for future studies on the function of trichohyalin.