Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
10:12
Construction of Cyclic Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Enhanced Penetration of Biological Barriers
Published on: September 19, 2022
Peptide structure: Its effect on penetration into human hair
Carla J S M Silva1, Andreia Vasconcelos, Artur Cavaco-Paulo
1Department of Textile Engineering, Minho University, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
Journal of Cosmetic Science
|August 31, 2007
Summary
Peptide structure significantly impacts hair penetration, driven by electrostatic interactions. Charged peptides can restore tensile strength to bleached hair, highlighting the importance of hair surface properties in peptide design.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Hair bleaching alters hair surface properties, increasing negative charge.
- Peptide-based treatments are explored for hair repair and enhancement.
- Understanding molecular interactions with hair is crucial for effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how peptide structure influences penetration into hair.
- To determine the effect of hair bleaching on peptide penetration.
- To assess the potential of peptides to restore hair strength.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized peptides with charged sequences (KAKAK) at N or C terminals.
- Studied peptide penetration into bleached and unbleached hair samples.
- Measured hair tensile strength before and after peptide treatment.
Main Results:
- Peptide penetration into hair is primarily driven by electrostatic interactions.
- The position of charged sequences on the peptide critically affects penetration.
- Penetration was significantly higher in bleached (damaged) hair due to increased negative surface charge.
- Peptides successfully restored the original tensile strength of bleached hair.
Conclusions:
- Hair surface properties, particularly charge, are key factors in designing peptides for hair penetration.
- Positional control of charged residues in peptides is vital for optimizing hair treatment efficacy.
- Peptide treatments offer a promising approach for repairing chemically damaged hair.
Related Concept Videos
02:43Peptide Bonds
A peptide bond covalently attaches amino acids through a dehydration reaction. One amino acid's carboxyl group and another amino acid's amino group combine, releasing a water molecule. The resulting bond is the peptide bond. The products that such linkages form are peptides. As more amino acids join this growing chain, the resulting chain is a polypeptide. Each polypeptide has a free amino group at one end. This end has the N-terminal, or the amino-terminal, and the other end has a free...
01:16Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
Hair and hair follicles are integral components of the integumentary system. Hair is a filamentous structure composed mainly of a protein called keratin. It is found on the surface of the skin throughout the body, except for areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
02:15Protein and Protein Structure
Proteins are one of the most abundant organic molecules in living systems and have the most diverse range of functions of all macromolecules. Proteins may be structural, regulatory, contractile, or protective. They may serve in transport, storage, or membranes; or they may be toxins or enzymes. Their structures, like their functions, vary greatly. They are all, however, amino acid polymers arranged in a linear sequence.
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme can...
A protein's shape is critical to its function. For example, an enzyme can...
01:20Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
01:13Protein Organization
Overview
01:24Protein Organization
Proteins are polymers of amino acid residues. They are versatile and responsible for different cellular functions, including DNA replication, molecular transport, catalysis, and structural support. Proteins have a hierarchical structure comprising at least three levels of organization: primary, secondary, and tertiary structure. Some large proteins have a quaternary structure where individual protein subunits are linked together.
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence.
The primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence.