"Keratin" ed. by Miroslav Blumenberg

This volume is dedicated to keratin gene mutations - a dominant-negative effect disrupting the filamentous structure formation even from the natural allele, and leaving the cell with a deficient cytoskeleton, and industrial scale meat production in vast quantities of keratin byproduct.

Keratin is the proteinaceous body covering layer produced by mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Hair and wool, horns, claws, hooves, feathers, and scales are made of keratin. Keratin is insoluble in water and is resistant to proteolysis. Importantly, keratin is also the intracellular structural protein that protects living epithelial cells from mechanical damage or stress. The fundamental keratin functions are revealed in congenital human skin diseases caused by mutations in keratin genes, e.g., Epidermolysis bullosa simplex or Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. Most keratin gene mutations have a dominant-negative effect disrupting the filamentous structure formation even from the natural allele, and leaving the cell with a deficient cytoskeleton. However, industrial scale meat production results in vast quantities of keratin byproduct.

Processing this byproduct is, on the one hand a major challenge, and on the other hand, a potential for useful recycling and exploitation.


Contents
1.Introductory Chapter: Keratins - What to Do with Too Much? What to Do with Too Little?
2.Regulation of Expression of Keratins and their Pathogenic Roles in Keratinopathies
3.Glucocorticoid Receptor Signaling in Skin Barrier Function
4.Neuroendocrine Controls of Keratin Expression in Human Skin
5.Keratins in Skin Epidermal Development and Diseases
6.Shape Memory Effect of Keratin Fibers
7.Human Hair as a Testing Substrate in the Era of Precision Medicine: Potential Role of ‘Omics-Based Approaches
8.Keratinaceous Wastes and Their Valorization through Keratinolytic Microorganisms
9.Keratin Waste: The Biodegradable Polymers


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