Is the alpha-beta transition of keratin a transition of alpha-helices to beta-pleated sheets? Part I. In situ XRD studies

Authors
Cao, JN
Citation
Jn. Cao, Is the alpha-beta transition of keratin a transition of alpha-helices to beta-pleated sheets? Part I. In situ XRD studies, J MOL STRUC, 553, 2000, pp. 101-107
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
ISSN journal
00222860 → ACNP
Volume
553
Year of publication
2000
Pages
101 - 107
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-2860(20001010)553:<101:ITATOK>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
In situ XRD experiments have been carried out to investigate the mechanism of the: alpha-beta transition occurring in keratinous fibres with stretchin g. The results show that the alpha-beta transition does not occur simultane ously upon stretching, but occurs during the following steam setting proces s for the. stretched fibres. This finding indicates the conventional interp retation that the alpha-beta transition represents a helical molecular chai n transferring into a beta -pleated sheet may not be the case. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.