TLDR The 190-kbp domain contains all human type I hair keratin genes, showing their organization and evolution.
The study characterized a 190-kilobase pair domain of human type I hair keratin genes, identifying 10 hair keratin genes, including one transcribed pseudogene and one orphan exon. These genes, sized 4-7 kbp with intergenic distances of 5-8 kbp, were organized into three subclusters based on sequence homologies. All genes, including the pseudogene, were expressed in the human hair follicle, with the pseudogene containing a premature stop codon and exhibiting aberrant splicing. Evolutionary analysis suggested an early divergence of hair keratin genes from cytokeratin genes, followed by segregation into the three subclusters. The study concluded that the 190-kbp domain likely contained the entire complement of human type I hair keratin genes, providing insights into their genomic organization and evolutionary relationships.
32 citations,
February 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Two specific hair keratin genes are active during hair growth and decline as hair transitions to rest.
19 citations,
July 1994 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Human hair keratin genes are similar to mouse genes and are specifically expressed in hair follicles.
356 citations,
December 1986 in “The journal of cell biology/The Journal of cell biology” Hair and nail cells share similar proteins, indicating a common differentiation pathway.
70 citations,
December 2004 in “Differentiation” The study identified and characterized new keratin genes linked to hair follicles and epithelial tissues.
235 citations,
July 1999 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Human hair is made up of different keratins, some strong and some weak, with specific types appearing at various stages of hair growth.
9 citations,
February 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” The document concludes that the human keratin gene cluster is complex, with a need for updated naming to reflect over 50 functional genes important for hair and skin biology.
18 citations,
January 2018 in “Advances in experimental medicine and biology” Hair keratins evolved from ancient proteins, diversifying through gene changes, crucial for forming claws and later hair in mammals.
1 citations,
April 2021 in “IntechOpen eBooks” The PCR technique can identify genetic differences in a wool-related gene among different sheep breeds, which may help improve wool and pelt quality.
