Cytokeratins of the bovine hoof: classification and studies on expression

The bovine hoof has been examined as a model for the study of keratinized skin appendages. We characterized the keratin polypeptides of hoof bed and matrix and compared them to epidermis using two-dimensional electrophoresis and immunoblot techniques. Both hoof tissues express keratins 6 and 16 (as described by Franke et al. (1981) J. Mol. Biol. 153, 933-959) and b2 and a1-4 which are previously undescribed proteins unique to the bovine hoof. Keratins of hoof matrix and bed share one or more common antigenic components as defined by immunoblot analysis. Hoof matrix expresses keratins 7 and 14, which are absent in hoof bed, and also expresses a greater number of isoelectric variants of keratin 6. Biopsies of hoof bed and matrix transplanted onto athymic mice both made hard hoof and underwent active keratin synthesis as evidenced by incorporation of [3H]leucine. Indirect immunofluorescence studies of the grafts showed that they had the histology and immunoreactivity previously noted for hoof bed and matrix. The two-dimensional gel electrophoretic patterns of both grafts were similar and expressed keratins b2 and a1-4. We conclude that a unique group of keratins exists in hoof. Furthermore, while hoof matrix is the major contributor to hard hoof, hoof bed epidermis maintains the capacity to make hard hoof and may contribute to the synthesis of the hoof plate in vivo. The ability to graft hoofs onto athymic mice provides an opportunity for the study of a number of aspects of hoof formation.