The Isolation and Properties of Some Soluble Proteins From Wool

Abstract

The proteins in wools of increased sulphur content, grown during abomasal infusions of casein and sulphur-containing amino acids, have been compared with those from control wools from the same sheep. It has been found that casein. methionine, or cysteine administered directly into the abomasum of the sheep, besides increasing the rate of growth of wool, greatly altered the composition of the wool proteins. The proportion of the high-sulphur proteins in wool was increased and within the group of high-sulphur proteins there was increased formation of the components richer in sulphur. No change other than the expected decrease in relative amount can be detected with the low-sulphur proteins. In electron micrographs of the test wool increased amounts of osmiophilic material can be seen in the para segment of the fibre.