Keratin and Skin Disorders
April 1996
in “
Cell biology international
”
keratin polypeptides K5/K14 K1/K10 basal generative compartment differentiating suprabasal compartment keratin filaments epidermis keratin genes epidermolysis bullosa bullous icthyosiform erythroderma epidermal keratinocytes hyperproliferative skin diseases psoriasis carcinomas keratin skin disorders blistering skin disorders skin cancer
TLDR Changes in keratin affect skin health and can lead to skin disorders like blistering diseases and psoriasis.
The document from 1996 discusses the role of keratin polypeptides in skin health, focusing on two major pairs: K5/K14 in the basal generative compartment and K1/K10 in the differentiating suprabasal compartment. It highlights that a switch in keratin expression from proliferating to differentiating cells is crucial for the structural organization of keratin filaments and, consequently, for the functional properties of the epidermis. The review emphasizes that mutations in keratin genes can compromise filament integrity, leading to heritable blistering skin disorders like epidermolysis bullosa and bullous icthyosiform erythroderma. Additionally, alterations in keratin gene expression can result in incomplete differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, which may cause hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis and various carcinomas. The document summarizes the known impacts of changes in keratin structure or gene expression on different skin disorders.
