Cytokeratin 12 (KRT12) Antibody – Rabbit Monoclonal

Function: May play a unique role in maintaining the normal corneal epithelial function. Together with KRT3, essential for the maintenance of corneal epithelium integrity

By similarity.

Subunit structure: Heterotetramer of two type I and two type II keratins. Keratin-3 associates with keratin-12.

Tissue specificity: Cornea specific. Ref.1

Involvement in disease: Corneal dystrophy, Meesmann (MECD) [MIM:122100]: An autosomal dominant corneal disease characterized by fragility of the anterior corneal epithelium. Patients are usually asymptomatic until adulthood when rupture of the corneal microcysts may cause erosions, producing clinical symptoms such as photophobia, contact lens intolerance and intermittent diminution of visual acuity. Rarely, subepithelial scarring causes irregular corneal astigmatism and permanent visual impairment. Histological examination shows a disorganized and thickened epithelium with widespread cytoplasmic vacuolation and numerous small, round, debris-laden intraepithelial cysts.Note: The disease is caused by mutations affecting the gene represented in this entry. Ref.2 Ref.3 Ref.8 Ref.9 Ref.10 Ref.11 Ref.12 Ref.13

Miscellaneous: There are two types of cytoskeletal and microfibrillar keratin: I (acidic; 40-55 kDa) and II (neutral to basic; 56-70 kDa).

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the intermediate filament family.