Pre-corneous Layers Research Articles

Immunolabeling indicates that sulfhydryl oxidase is absent in anamniote epidermis but marks the process of cornification in the skin of terrestrial vertebrates

The passage between keratinization to cornification of the epidermis and skin appendages in vertebrates requires formation of a stratum corneum rich in SS bonds among other cross-linking chemical bonds. A key enzyme, sulfhydryl oxidase (SOXase) catalyzes the oxidation of SH groups present in keratins and in corneous proteins of the epidermis into SS. Presence and distribution of SAXase has been studied by immunohistochemistry in all vertebrates, from fish to mammals. SOXase is immunohistochemically absent in all fish and amphibian species tested with the exception of a thin pre-corneous layer in the epidermis of adult anurans. SOXase is low to absent in corneous appendages such as horny teeth of lamprey or claws and horny beaks of amphibians. Conversely, SOXase is detected in the transitional (pre-corneous) and inner corneous layers of the epidermis of sauropsids and mammals. In lepidosaurian reptiles, SOXase appears in both beta- and alpha-corneous-layers, but is limited to the pre-corneous and corneous layers of the thin soft epidermises of birds and mammals, including the granular layer. SOXase is localized in pre-corneous layers and disappears in external corneous layers of amniote skin appendages such as claws, beaks of turtles and birds, and in developing feathers. This distribution further indicates that the increase activity of epidermal SOXase is/was essential, in addition to other enzymes such as epidermal transglutaminases, for the evolution of the corneous layer and of the different hard skin appendages present in terrestrial vertebrates.

Immunolocalization of sulfhydryl oxidase in reptilian epidermis indicates that the enzyme participates mainly to the hardening process of the beta-corneous layer.

Reptilian skin is tough and scaled representing an evolutionary adaptation to the terrestrial environment. The presence of sulfhydryl oxidase during the process of hardening of the corneous layer in reptilian epidermis has been analyzed by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Sulfhydryl oxidase-like immunoreactivity of proteins in the 50-65kDa range of molecular weight is mainly observed in the transitional and pre-corneous layers of crocodilians, chelonian, and in the forming beta-layer of lepidosaurians. The ultrastructural localization of the enzyme by immunogold in lizard epidermis during renewal and resting stages shows that the labeling is mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and along the accumulating beta-packets of differentiating beta-cells while it appears very low to undetectable in differentiating alpha-cells of the lacunar, clear, mesos, and alpha-layers. The labeling however becomes absent or undetectable also in the fully mature beta-layer. The study shows that an oxidative enzyme is likely responsible of the cross-linking of the numerous cysteines present in the main proteins accumulated in corneocytes of reptilian epidermis, known as corneous beta-proteins (beta-keratins). This process of disulphide bond formation is probably largely responsible for the formation of hard beta-corneous layers in reptilian scales, a difference with alpha-corneous layers where substrate proteins of transglutaminase appear predominant.

Sites of cell proliferation during scute morphogenesis in turtle and alligator are different from those of lepidosaurian scales

AbstractCell proliferation in forming shield scutes has been studied by immunofluorescence in embryos of turtle, alligator and snake after injection of 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine. Hinge regions of scutes in alligator and turtle carapace derive from an initial waving and invagination of the epidermis that contains 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine‐labelled cells. This suggests that down growth of the epidermis into the dermis is driven by local proliferation in addition to dermal anchorage and stabilization of hinge regions. Few keratinocytes migrate into suprabasal layers 1 day after injection of 5‐bromo‐deoxy‐uridine and keratinocytes reach the precorneous layer in about 5 days. Proliferating keratinocytes are randomly distributed in the outer scale surface of symmetric scutes but are more numerous in the outer scale surface of asymmetric or overlapped scutes indicating epidermal expansion. Higher localization of proliferating cells along hinge regions of embryonic turtle and alligator scutes is maintained in adult scutes where most growth occurs. In snake, skin proliferation becomes prevalent on the elongating outer side of the asymmetric scale. Comparison between proliferation sites in turtle–alligator–chick scales with lepidosaurian scales indicates that placodes are present only in turtle–alligator–chick scales. Conversely, scale primordia detected only using gene markers are found in most crocodilian and lepidosaurians embryonic skin.

Ultrastructural immunolocalization of alpha-keratins and associated beta-proteins (beta-keratins) suggests a new interpretation on the process of hard and soft cornification in turtle epidermis

The epidermis of soft-shelled and hard-shelled turtles has been compared to determine the origin of the different cornification. Immunolocalization of acidic alpha-keratin (AK2) of 45–50kDa in tonofilaments of the epidermis in Apalone spinifera and absence in the corneous layer where desquamating corneocytes are present supports the biochemical data. Corneocytes shows a weak to absent immunolabeling for beta-proteins (formerly beta-keratins) of 14–16kDa while sparse immunolabeled corneous granules are seen in the pre-corneous layer. In the hard-shelled turtle Pseudemys nelsonii differentiating corneocytes contain small level of acidic alpha-keratin while beta-proteins of 10–17kDa form dense aggregates of corneous material among tonofilaments. Corneocytes do not desquamate but remain tightly connected determining an increase in thickness of the corneous layer that becomes mechanically stiff and resistant. Since both species possess beta-proteins in shelled and non-shelled areas of the epidermis the difference in hardness of the corneous layer is not due to the alternation between beta-keratin versus alpha-keratin. Mechanical resilience of the corneous layer derives from the accumulation of alpha-keratins, beta- and likely of other proteins in corneocytes of the shell in hard-shelled turtles. In the softer epidermis of hard-shelled turtles and in the soft-shelled turtle a more rapid and continuous turnover of corneocytes is present and no accumulation of beta-proteins and corneocytes takes place. It is hypothesized that the dermis derived from the carapacial ridge during development remains localized underneath the shell epidermis in hard-shelled turtles and influences the formation of the hard corneous epidermis.

Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry for the central region of keratin associated-beta-proteins (beta-keratins) shows the epitope is constantly expressed in reptilian epidermis

The presence of beta-proteins containing a core-box region in specific regions of reptilian epidermis has been studied by immunological methods. Alpha-keratins are detected by the antibody AK2 that recognizes a sequence toward the C-terminal of acidic alpha-keratins of 48–52kDa. Beta-proteins are recognized by an antibody directed to the core-box region specific for these proteins of 18–37kDa. The AK2 antibody labels with variable intensity alpha-keratin bundles in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes in the epidermis of representative species of reptiles but immunolabeling decreases or disappears in pre-corneous and corneous cells. As opposite, the core-box antibody only labels with variable intensity the dense beta-corneous material formed in pre-corneous and corneous layers of crocodilian and turtle epidermis. In lepidosaurian epidermis the core-box antibody labels the beta-layer while the mesos and alpha-layers are poorly or not labeled. The immunological evidence indicates that beta-proteins are synthesized in the upper spinosus and pre-corneous layers of the epidermis and replace or mask the initial alpha-keratin framework present in keratinocytes as they differentiate into cells of the beta-layer. In the specialized pad lamellae of gecko and anoline lizards charged beta-proteins accumulate in the adhesive setae and may affect the mechanism of adhesion that allows these lizards to walk vertical surfaces. The addition of beta-proteins to the alpha-keratins in upper cell layers of the epidermis recalls the process of cornification of mammalian epidermis where specific keratin-associated proteins (involucrin, loricrin and filaggrin) associate with the keratin framework in terminally differentiating keratinocytes of the stratum corneum.

Cornification in reptilian epidermis occurs through the deposition of keratin‐associated beta‐proteins (beta‐keratins) onto a scaffold of intermediate filament keratins

The isolation of genes for alpha-keratins and keratin-associated beta-proteins (formerly beta-keratins) has allowed the production of epitope-specific antibodies for localizing these proteins during the process of cornification epidermis of reptilian sauropsids. The antibodies are directed toward proteins in the alpha-keratin range (40-70 kDa) or beta-protein range (10-30 kDa) of most reptilian sauropsids. The ultrastructural immunogold study shows the localization of acidic alpha-proteins in suprabasal and precorneous epidermal layers in lizard, snake, tuatara, crocodile, and turtle while keratin-associated beta-proteins are localized in precorneous and corneous layers. This late activation of the synthesis of keratin-associated beta-proteins is typical for keratin-associated and corneous proteins in mammalian epidermis (involucrin, filaggrin, loricrin) or hair (tyrosine-rich or sulfur-rich proteins). In turtles and crocodilians epidermis, keratin-associated beta-proteins are synthesized in upper spinosus and precorneous layers and accumulate in the corneous layer. The complex stratification of lepidosaurian epidermis derives from the deposition of specific glycine-rich versus cysteine-glycine-rich keratin-associated beta-proteins in cells sequentially produced from the basal layer and not from the alternation of beta- with alpha-keratins. The process gives rise to Oberhäutchen, beta-, mesos-, and alpha-layers during the shedding cycle of lizards and snakes. Differently from fish, amphibian, and mammalian keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) of the epidermis, the keratin-associated beta-proteins of sauropsids are capable to form filaments of 3-4 nm which give rise to an X-ray beta-pattern as a consequence of the presence of a beta-pleated central region of high homology, which seems to be absent in KAPs of the other vertebrates.

Ultrastructural localization of hair keratin homologs in the claw of the lizard Anolis carolinensis

The claw of lizards is largely composed of beta-keratins, also referred to as keratin-associated beta-proteins. Recently, we have reported that the genome of the lizard Anolis carolinensis contains alpha keratin genes homologous to hair keratins typical of hairs and claws of mammals. Molecular and immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that two hair keratin homologs named hard acid keratin 1 (HA1) and hard basic keratin 1 (HB1) are expressed in keratinocytes forming the claws of A. carolinensis. Here, we extended the immunocytochemical localization of the novel reptilian keratins to the ultrastructural level. After sectioning, claws were subjected to immunogold labeling using antibodies against HA1, HB1, and, for comparison, beta-keratins. Electron microscopy showed that the randomly organized network of tonofilaments in basal and suprabasal keratinocytes becomes organized in long and parallel bundles of keratin in precorneous layers, resembling cortical cells of hairs. Entering the cornified part of the claw, the elongated corneous cells fuse and accumulate corneous material. HA1 and HB1 are absent in the basal layer and lower spinosus layers of the claw and are expressed in the upper and precorneous layers, including the elongating corneocytes. The labeling for alpha-keratin was loosely associated with filament structures forming the fibrous framework of the claws. The ultrastructural distribution pattern of hard alpha-keratins resembled that of beta-keratins, which is compatible with the hypothesis of an interaction during claw morphogenesis. The data on the ultrastructural localization of hair keratin homologs facilitate a comparison of lizard claws and mammalian hard epidermal appendages containing hair keratins.

Ultrastructural characteristics of the process of cornification in developing claws of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Cornification of developing claws in the brush possum has been analysed by electron microscopy and compared with the process in other tetrapods. Newborns from 3 to 60 days postparturition were studied. After formation of symmetric and round outgrowth in digits the epidermis becomes thicker in the dorsal with respect to the ventral digit tip. The claw elongates forming the unguis and a shorter subunguis. Spinosus keratinocytes in both unguis and subunguis accumulate tonofilaments that fill their cytoplasm. Keratohyaline-like granules are formed in early stages of differentiation in both unguis and subunguis but they later disappear in highly cornified corneocytes. Tonofilaments become electron-dense in keratinocytes of the precorneous layer in the large corneocytes of the unguis and in narrow corneocytes of the subunguis. Keratin bundles transform into an amorphous corneous material that embeds or masks the original keratin intermediate filaments. Nucleated corneocytes are accumulated in the unguis while thinner corneocytes are present in the subunguis. The latter contain a dense material, possibly containing high sulphur keratin associated proteins, as occurs during cornifcation of the cortex and cuticle hair cells and in the nail. The process of cornification of mammalian claws is compared with that of reptilian and avian claws.