Chapter 2 The Human Keratin Genes and Their Differential Expression
January 1987
in “
Current topics in developmental biology/Current Topics in Developmental Biology
”
TLDR Different keratin proteins are expressed in various epithelial cells at different stages, affecting cell structure and function.
This chapter discussed the role of human epithelial cells in providing protection through their cytoskeletal architecture, with a focus on keratin filaments. It highlighted the differences in filament organization between hair cortex cells and epidermal squames, which contribute to the distinct cell packing in these tissues. The chapter also explored the differential expression of keratin proteins in various epithelial cells, noting that different keratin pairs are expressed at different developmental stages. Recent sequence analyses of keratins and their genes were beginning to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind this differential expression, addressing key questions about cytoskeletal design and function.
