Krtap11-1, A Hair Keratin-Associated Protein, As A Possible Crucial Element For The Physical Properties Of Hair Shafts

The study investigated the role of Krtap11-1, a keratin-associated protein, in hair development and its physical properties. It was found that Krtap11-1 expression was asymmetrically distributed in faulty hair of Foxn1nu mice and was regulated by the keratinization process and proteasome-dependent protein elimination in cultured keratinocytes. Krtap11-1 was shown to associate with keratin and self-assemble through disulfide cross-links, and it could adhere to certain type I keratins in the hair cortex without disulfide formation. Forcible expression of Krtap11-1 in embryonic upper lip rudiments led to irregular hair follicle development, suggesting its significant role in keratin-bundle assembly and influencing the physical properties of hair shafts.