Keratins: The Hair Shaft's Backbone Revealed

The document discussed the critical role of keratins in hair structure and disorders, highlighting their function in forming intermediate filaments essential for hair and skin integrity. It detailed how mutations in specific keratin genes, such as KRT81, KRT83, and KRT86, lead to hair disorders like monilethrix, characterized by fragile, beaded hair. The study by van Steensel et al. expanded the mutation spectrum of monilethrix by identifying additional cases linked to KRT83 mutations, reinforcing its role in the disorder. The variability in hair phenotype among monilethrix patients remained unexplained, suggesting further research into other hair cortex components could provide insights into hair strength and structure.