Cytokeratin 8 (KRT8) Human Recombinant Protein

This gene is a member of the type II keratin family clustered on the long arm of chromosome 12. Type I and type II keratins heteropolymerize to form intermediate-sized filaments in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. The product of this gene typically dimerizes with keratin 18 to form an intermediate filament in simple single-layered epithelial cells. This protein plays a role in maintaining cellular structural integrity and also functions in signal transduction and cellular differentiation. Mutations in this gene cause cryptogenic cirrhosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2012]

K8: a type II cytoskeletal keratin. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. Phosphorylation of keratins at specific sites affects their organization, assembly dynamics, and their interaction with signaling molecules. Phsophorylated by p38 kinase, regulating cellular keratin filament reorganization. Phosphorylation on serine residues is enhanced during EGF stimulation and mitosis. Mutation of this protein is a risk factor for cryptogenic liver failure.

Protein type: Cytoskeletal

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 12q13

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex; intermediate filament cytoskeleton; nuclear matrix; costamere; keratin filament; cytoplasm; intermediate filament; intercellular junction; nucleus; Z disc; sarcolemma

Molecular Function: protein binding; protein complex binding; structural molecule activity

Biological Process: tumor necrosis factor-mediated signaling pathway; viral reproduction; sarcomere organization; response to other organism; response to hydrostatic pressure

Disease: Cirrhosis, Familial