Characterization of the Human Hair Keratin-Associated Protein 2 (KRTAP2) Gene Family

The study characterized the human hair keratin-associated protein 2 (KRTAP2) gene family, revealing size polymorphisms in the KRTAP2-2 and KRTAP2-4 genes with distinct allele frequencies in Japanese and Caucasian populations. KRTAP2 proteins were predominantly expressed in the keratinizing zone of the hair shaft cortex and interacted with each other, binding preferentially to hair keratins. The research highlighted the essential role of KRTAP2 in hair shaft keratinization, providing insights into the evolution of KRTAP genes and their potential roles in hair disorders and cosmetic treatments. Various molecular biology techniques were used to analyze gene expression and protein interactions, contributing to the understanding of hair structure at the molecular level.