Keratin Gene Adapation from Land to the Sea (IMAGE)

SMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)

Keratin Gene Adapation from Land to the Sea

Caption

The main proteins of the outermost skin layers of terrestrial mammals, including humans, are dispensable in aquatic mammals, such as dolphins, whales, and manatees. The epidermis of dolphins is approximately 50 times thicker than normal human epidermis. Keratins K1, K2, and K10 have been lost and replaced by keratins K6 and K17 in dolphins.

Credit

Leopold Eckhart, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna

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