Review: Evolution and diversification of corneous beta‐proteins, the characteristic epidermal proteins of reptiles and birds

In all amniotes specialized intermediate filament keratins (IF‐keratins), in addition to keratin‐associated and corneous proteins form the outermost cornified layer of the epidermis. Only in reptiles and birds (sauropsids) the epidermis of scales, claws, beaks, and feathers, largely comprises small proteins formerly indicated as “beta‐keratins” but here identified as corneous beta‐proteins (CBPs) to avoid confusion with true keratins. Genes coding for CBPs have evolved within the epidermal differentiation complex (EDC), a locus with no relationship with those of IF‐keratins. CBP genes have the same exon–intron structure as EDC genes encoding other corneous proteins of sauropsids and mammals, but they are unique by encoding a peculiar internal amino acid sequence motif beta‐sheet region that allows formation of CBP filaments in the epidermis and epidermal appendages of reptiles and birds. In contrast, skin appendages of mammals, like hairs, claws, horns and nails, contain keratin‐associated proteins that, like IF‐keratin genes, are encoded by genes in loci different from the EDC. Phylogenetic analysis shows that lepidosaurian (lizards and snakes) and nonlepidosaurian (crocodilians, birds, and turtles) CBPs form two separate clades that likely originated after the divergence of these groups of sauropsids in the Permian Period. Clade‐specific CBPs evolved to make most of the corneous material of feathers in birds and of the shell in turtles. Based on the recent identification of the complete sets of CBPs in all major phylogenetic clades of sauropsids, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular evolution of CBPs.