Against The Rules: Human Keratin K80

September 2010 in “ Journal of Biological Chemistry ”

Lutz Langbein, Leopold Eckhart, Michael A. Rogers, Silke Praetzel‐Wunder, J. Schweizer

keratin K80 type II hair keratins intermediate filament desmosomal plaques alternative splicing K80.1 hair follicle epithelial tissues

Studysummary This study found that keratin K80, structurally similar to hair keratins, is broadly expressed in various epithelial tissues and is involved in intermediate filament formation with multiple type I partners.

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The study investigated human keratin K80 and its splice variant K80.1, revealing K80's unique expression across various epithelial tissues and its structural similarity to type II hair keratins. K80 was found in a wide range of epithelia, forming intermediate filaments with over 20 type I keratins, and was notably present in hair follicles. K80.1 was more restricted, primarily detected in hair follicles and tongue papillae. The research highlighted K80's evolutionary significance, being one of the oldest keratins, and the novel occurrence of alternative splicing in keratins. The study emphasized K80's role in epithelial differentiation and its potential importance in hair follicle biology.

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