Chemical Dissection of Rat Skin. ∗

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions

Extraction of rat skin with 0.15 M NaCI in the cold removes almost half of the dermal hexosamine and most of the uronic acid, leaving a residue which no longer stains profoundly with Alcian blue, although cells and collagen of the tissue are intact. Further extraction with 0.50 M NaCI removes about 8% of total dermal hydroxyproline leaving a residue in which neither the cells nor the collagen are intact. The citrate buffer soluble hydroxyproline (3% of the total) is not contaminated with hexosamine, while 1/3 of total dermal amino sugar is found intimately associated with the insoluble residue, probably as a mucopolysaccharide. This residue is highly purified dermal collagen. Finally, fresh skin contains 55% water, 6% fat, 24% collagen and 15% non-collagen protein and glycoprotein.