CK-17 Antibody

The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the type I keratin gene family. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. The encoded protein is a cytokeratin required for the normal growth of hair follicles and may act in psoriasis as an immunopathogenic autoantigen. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]

Type I keratin involved in the formation and maintenance of various skin appendages, specifically in determining shape and orientation of hair (PubMed:14714564, PubMed:16702408). Required for the correct growth of hair follicles, in particular for the persistence of the anagen (growth) state (PubMed:16702408). Modulates the function of TNF-alpha in the specific context of hair cycling. Regulates protein synthesis and epithelial cell growth through binding to the adapter protein SFN and by stimulating Akt/mTOR pathway (PubMed:16710422). Involved in tissue repair. May be a marker of basal cell differentiation in complex epithelia and therefore indicative of a certain type of epithelial "stem cells". Acts as a promoter of epithelial proliferation by acting a regulator of immune response in skin: promotes Th1/Th17-dominated immune environment contributing to the development of basaloid skin tumors (PubMed:20871598). May act as an autoantigen in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis, with certain peptide regions being a major target for autoreactive T-cells and hence causing their proliferation.