Cuticle function

In spite of the fact that research on permanent waving has decreased over the past several decades, significant findings have been made within the past 10 years. For example, Wortmann and Kure [1,2] have developed a model and recently extended it to show that the bending stiffness of reduced and oxidized fibers controls the permanent waving behavior of human hair and that the cuticle plays a role in permanent waving. Further, they have shown not only that the cuticle functions as a barrier to reduction but also that its stiffness may contribute to fiber set. 

In fine wool such as that obtained from merino sheep, the cuticle is normally one cell thick (20 x 30 x 0.5 mm, approximate dimensions) and usually constitutes about 10% by weight of the total fiber. Sections of cuticle cells show an internal series of laminations (Figs. 1 and 2) comprising outer sulfur-rich bands known as the exocuticle and inner regions of lower sulfur content called the endocuticle (13). On the exposed surface of cuticle cells, a membrane-like proteinaceous band (epicuticle) and a unique hpid component form a hydrophobic resistant barrier (14). These hpid and protein components are the functional moieties of the fiber surface and are important in fiber protection and textile processing (15). 

Over the years the cosmetic iadustry has created a wide variety of products for nail care. Some of these, such as cuticle removers and nail hardeners, are functional others, such as nail lacquers, lacquer removers, and nail elongators, are decorative. 

Functional Nail-Care Products. Cuticle removers are solutions of dilute alkaHes that faciHtate removal, or at least softeniag, of the cuticle. Formulations containing as much as 5% potassium hydroxide have been reported. Such preparations may contain about 10% glycerine to reduce dryiag, and thickeners, such as clays, to reduce mnoff Lipids and other conditioners are iacluded to reduce damage to tissues other than the cuticle. 

Drosophila Ddc is expressed primarily in the CNS and the hypoderm, the epithelial layer of the fly that secretes the cuticle. In the CNS, Ddc is expressed in a small subset of neurons that produce either dopamine or serotonin (Budnik and White, 1988 Valles and White, 1988). In the hypoderm, Ddc expression leads to synthesis of dopamine, which is further metabolized into quinones that have a vital function in the cross-linking, hardening, and pigmentation of the fly cuticle (Wright, 1987). The developmental profile of DDC activity in these two tissues is quite different (Hirsh, 1986). DDC is first detected during late embryo-... 

Apolysis (kthargus) corresponds to a period of inactivity and results in the separation of connections between the old cuticle basal zone and the underlying hypodermis. The inactivity is a direct result of associated changes in musculature structure and function. 

Yang, J. and Kramer, J.M. (1994) In vitro mutagenesis of Caenorhabditis elegans cuticle collagens identifies a potential subtilisin-like protease cleavage site and demonstrates that carboxyl domain disulfide bonding is required for normal function but not assembly. Molecular and Cellular Biology 14, 2722-2730. 

The major function of cutin is to serve as the structural component of the outer barrier of plants. As the major component of the cuticle it plays a major role in the interaction of the plant with its environment. Development of the cuticle is thought to be responsible for the ability of plants to move onto land where the cuticle limits diffusion of moisture and thus prevents desiccation [141]. The plant cuticle controls the exchange of matter between leaf and atmosphere. The transport properties of the cuticle strongly influences the loss of water and solutes from the leaf interior as well as uptake of nonvolatile chemicals from the atmosphere to the leaf surface. In the absence of stomata the cuticle controls gas exchange. The cuticle as a transport-limiting barrier is important in its physiological and ecological functions. The diffusion across plant cuticle follows basic laws of passive diffusion across lipophylic membranes [142]. Isolated cuticular membranes have been used to study this permeability and the results obtained appear to be valid... 

Kerstiens G (ed) (1996) Plant cuticles an integrated functional approach. BIOS Scientific Publishers, Oxford UK... 

Edwards D, Abbott GD, Raven JA (1996) Cuticles of early land plants a palaeoecophy-siological evaluation. In Kerstiens G (ed) Plant cuticles an integrated functional approach. BIOS Scientific Publishers, Oxford UK, chap 1... 

Rieder M, Schreiber L (1995) Waxes the transport barriers of plant cuticles. In Hamilton RJ (ed) Waxes chemistry, molecular biology and functions. The Oily Press,... 

High-resolution 13C NMR studies have been conducted on intact cuticles from limes, suberized cell walls from potatoes, and insoluble residues that remain after chemical depolymerization treatments of these materials. Identification and quantitation of the major functional moieties in cutin and suberin have been accomplished with cross-polarization magic-angle spinning as well as direct polarization methods. Evidence for polyester crosslinks and details of the interactions among polyester, wax, and cell-wall components have come from a variety of spin-relaxation measurements. Structural models for these protective plant biopolymers have been evaluated in light of the NMR results. 

These results demonstrated the usefulness of 13C NMR in studies of molecular structure and dynamics for the polymeric constituents of plant cuticle. Although these materials are insoluble and sometimes present as interpenetrating phases, CPMAS and spin relaxation techniques helped identify important carbon types and provided structural clues to the protective functions of cutin and suberin in terrestrial plants. 

In addition to the sensilla styloconica, lepidopterous larvae possess gustatory sensilla on the maxillary palps. Eight basiconic sensilla are located on top of each palpus (see Figure 1). Five of them possess a terminal pore, and for that reason these sensilla might be considered as contact chemoreceptors. The remaining three show numerous small perforations all over the cuticle, which indicates an olfactory function (.8). The response spectra of these sensilla are, however, still obscure. 

As can be seen from the examples discussed so far, pheromones present on spider cuticle or silk frequently play an important role in spider communication, but limited information is available about their composition. Lipids, whose primary function is regulation of water content, also may have important roles in communication. 

The presence of catechols and more complex, oxidizable polyphenols in nature is widespread, and their functions are not limited to chemical defense. However, biological control of their oxidation is usually a feature of their function, as it is (1) in melanin synthesis,3 (2) in immunologically mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity responses,4 (3) in the hardening or curing of arthropod secretions (for example, as in the surface attachment adhesives of the barnacle and in tanning of the cuticle in insects),5 as well as (4) in defensive mechanisms in higher plants, particularly in the unleashing of immediate necrotrophic responses.6... 

Surface lipids of plants. The thick cuticle (Fig. 1-6) that covers the outer surfaces of green plants consists largely of waxes and other lipids but also contains a complex polymeric matrix of cutin (stems and leaves) or suberin (roots and wound surfaces).135/135a Plant waxes commonly have C10 - C30 chains in both acid and alcohol components. Methyl branches are frequently present. A major function of the waxes is to inhibit evaporation of water and to protect the outer cell layer. In addition, the methyl branched components may inhibit enzymatic breakdown by microbes. Free fatty acids, free alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, 13-dike tones, and alkanes are also present in plant surface waxes. Chain lengths are usually C20 - C35.136 Hydrocarbon formation can occur in other parts of a plant as well as in the cuticle. Thus, normal heptane constitutes up to 98% of the volatile portion of the turpentine of Pin us jeffreyi.81... 

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