The Expanding Significance of Keratin Intermediate Filaments in Normal and Diseased Epithelia

The document reviewed the expanding significance of keratin intermediate filaments in both normal and diseased epithelia, highlighting their structural, mechanical, and signaling roles. Key findings included keratins' involvement in stress response, cell mechanics, nuclear organization, cell polarization, migration, and protein synthesis regulation. Specific keratins, such as K17, were shown to affect hair follicle cycling and tumor growth. Keratin mutations in mouse models provided insights into human skin disorders like pachyonychia congenita. The research underscored the multifaceted roles of keratins beyond structural functions, impacting cell behavior and disease pathogenesis.