Disulphide reaction staining for the identification of integumental elastic fibres

Abstract

Based on specific methods (Sippel-APM-chromotropic acid technique; IC3-PE-maleimide fluorescence reaction) and skin samples of four domesticated mammals (dog, cattle, horse, pig), disulphide groups were demonstrated in the elastic component of the basement membrane of the epidermis, the elastic fibre system of the dermis, the elastic components of the connective tissue sheath of hair follicles, apocrine tubular glands, and sebaceous glands, and of the connective tissue surrounding the cutaneous muscle. The results are discussed regarding the relation of this reaction staining to the presence of microfibrils (fibrillin) in the elastic fibres.

Unravelling the structure and function of human hair

“…11 The hair fibre itself contains the amino acids arginine, tryptophan and tyrosine and more abundant amino acids containing the thiol (-SH) group, which are mainly concentrated in the hair root, as has been observed using the Sippel technique. 12 Above the hair root, thiol groups are oxidized to dithio (-S-S-) linkages as hair cells become keratinized. These linkages can either occur between separate long-chain molecules or within the same molecule.…”