The Structural Proteins of Harlequin Fetus: Stratum Corneum

Stratum corneum from the harlequin fetus, a rare type of ichthyosis, shows a cross-β x-ray diffraction pattern instead of the usual α-type. Isometric contraction studies in water of the stratum corneum from a harlequin fetus did not show the increase in tension with heating that is observed with normal stratum corneum. The fibrous proteins isolated from harlequin fetus stratum corneum had the same x-ray diffraction pattern as whole stratum corneum and their amino acid composition was different from normal α-protein. These data indicate that the fibrous proteins of harlequin fetus stratum corneum are different from those of normal tissue and are not just a denatured form