Abstract
Maturation of the corneous material of feathers, scutate scales, claws and beak is a special case of hard cornification since it mainly derives from the accumulation of small feather corneous beta proteins (FCBPs) of 9–12 kDa with a central beta-pleated sheet region, formerly indicated as feather beta keratins. FCBPs contain a relatively high amount of cysteines that likely form numerous –S-S- in the corneous material of these skin appendages. The present immunocytochemical study shows that sulfhydryl oxidase and FCBPs are associated in the differentiating keratinocytes and corneous layers of the epidermis, scales, claws, beak and barb-barbule cells during chick development. The enzyme appears localized in pre-corneous and corneous layers and in differentiating barb-barbule cells where it likely determines formation of -S-S- bonds. This maturation transformation completed in corneous layers of scales, beak, claws and feathers determines increase of hardness and mechanical resistance that, in feathers, is needed for protection and sustaining flight. The process of cornification in chick skin appendages and feathers is discussed in relation to the general process of formation of hard corneous material in vertebrate skin appendages. This occurs by the association of intermediate filament proteins (IFKs, formerly indicates as alpha-keratins) and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) or CBPs.
Published Version
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