An Updated Nomenclature for Keratin-Associated Proteins

January 2012 in “ International Journal of Biological Sciences ”

Hua Gong, Huitong Zhou, Grant W McKenzie, Zhidong Yu, Stefan Clerens, Jolon M. Dyer, Jeffrey E. Plowman, Matt W. Wright, Reena Arora, C. Simon Bawden, Yulin Chen, Jinquan Li, Jon G. H. Hickford

Studysummary This article proposes an updated naming system for keratin-associated proteins and genes, aiming to improve data storage and retrieval by including species information and genetic variation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document proposed an updated nomenclature for keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) to address the increased identification and variation of KAP genes across species. The new system, based on the previous nomenclature, included species-specific codes and indicators for genetic variants, pseudogenes, and temporary placeholders. This updated naming convention aimed to enhance data storage, retrieval, and communication across mammalian species by providing a more informative and standardized approach. For instance, a gene previously named KRTAP7-1 would be updated to include species information, such as SHEEP-KRTAP7-1*A, facilitating a common language for KAP proteins and genes.

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research Molecular Evolution of the Keratin Associated Protein Gene Family in Mammals: Role in the Evolution of Mammalian Hair

119 citations , August 2008 in “BMC Evolutionary Biology”

This study found that while the KRTAP gene family is unique to mammals, humans have a similar number of these hair gene types as other primates despite having less body hair.

research Characterization and Expression Analysis of the Hair Keratin Associated Protein KAP26.1

50 citations , July 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

research Characterization of Human KAP24.1, A Cuticular Hair Keratin-Associated Protein with Unusual Amino Acid Composition and Repeat Structure

51 citations , January 2007 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified a novel keratin-associated protein, KAP24.1, which is specifically expressed in the human scalp and located in the hair cuticle.

research Human Hair Keratin-Associated Proteins

226 citations , January 2006 in “International review of cytology”

Keratin-associated proteins are crucial for hair strength and structure.

research Size Polymorphisms in the Human Ultrahigh Sulfur Hair Keratin-Associated Protein 4, KAP4, Gene Family

27 citations , June 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified numerous size polymorphisms in the human ultrahigh sulfur KAP4 genes due to intragenic sequence variations, suggesting these polymorphisms may have arisen through deletions and duplications during evolution.

research Human KAP Genes: Only Half of It? Extensive Size Polymorphisms in Hair Keratin-Associated Protein Genes

53 citations , June 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This article reviews extensive genetic polymorphisms in the keratin-associated proteins of human hair, indicating complexity but reporting no new clinical results and calls for further research on their potential impact on hair structure.

research Identification of Two Novel Clusters of Ultrahigh-Sulfur Keratin-Associated Protein Genes on Human Chromosome 11

1 citations , May 2004 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

This study identified nine novel KRTAP5 family genes associated with human hair formation, demonstrating preferential expression in hair roots and suggesting their role in hair development.

research Identification of Two Novel Clusters of Ultrahigh-Sulfur Keratin-Associated Protein Genes on Human Chromosome 11

27 citations , April 2004 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

In this study, two novel clusters of keratin-associated protein genes on human chromosome 11 were analyzed, suggesting their products are crucial for hair formation due to preferential expression in hair roots.

research A Cluster of 21 Keratin-Associated Protein Genes Within Introns of Another Gene on Human Chromosome 21q22.3

34 citations , January 2004 in “Genomics”

In this study, researchers identified a cluster of hair-specific keratin-associated protein genes within the 21q22.3 region, revealing a novel transcription mechanism involving TSPEAR/C21orf29 that may bypass typical transcriptional termination sites.

Hair Keratin Associated Proteins: Characterization of a Second High Sulfur KAP Gene Domain on Human Chromosome 21 in Fond Memory of Dr. Peter Steinert

research Hair Keratin Associated Proteins: Characterization of a Second High Sulfur KAP Gene Domain on Human Chromosome 21 in Fond Memory of Dr. Peter Steinert

62 citations , January 2004 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified 16 novel high sulfur KAP genes and two KAP pseudogenes on chromosome 21q23, showing expression in a specific region of the hair fiber cuticle.

research Characterization of a First Domain of Human High Glycine-Tyrosine and High Sulfur Keratin-Associated Protein Genes on Chromosome 21q22.1

100 citations , December 2002 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study identified a domain on human chromosome 21q22.1 containing various high glycine-tyrosine and high sulfur keratin-associated protein genes, revealing their diverse expression in hair-forming cells.

research Polymorphisms in the Human High Sulfur Hair Keratin-Associated Protein 1, KAP1, Gene Family

48 citations , November 2002 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

In this study, researchers found that size polymorphisms in certain hKAP1 genes are linked to the hKAP1.1B and hKAP1.3 genes, arising from intragenic deletions and duplications in Japanese and Caucasian populations.

Characterization of a Cluster of Human High/Ultrahigh Sulfur Keratin-Associated Protein Genes Embedded in the Type I Keratin Gene Domain on Chromosome 17q12-21

research Characterization of a Cluster of Human High/Ultrahigh Sulfur Keratin-Associated Protein Genes Embedded in the Type I Keratin Gene Domain on Chromosome 17q12-21

98 citations , June 2001 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study identified a cluster of genes on chromosome 17 related to hair keratin-associated proteins, including 37 genes forming seven multigene families, localized in the hair shaft's upper cortex.

research The Role of Keratin Proteins and Their Genes in the Growth, Structure, and Properties of Hair

228 citations , January 1997 in “Birkhäuser Basel eBooks”

This article integrates existing literature on hair follicle structure and formation at the cellular and molecular level, reporting no new findings.

research Characterization of a Gene Encoding a Cysteine-Rich Keratin Associated Protein Synthesized Late in Rabbit Hair Follicle Differentiation

26 citations , March 1995 in “Differentiation”

This study isolated and sequenced the complete gene rKAP4L1, which encodes a cysteine-rich hair keratin-associated protein in rabbit hair follicles.

research Formation and Structure of Human Hair

175 citations , January 1995 in “Birkhäuser Basel eBooks”

This review examines the histochemistry and keratinization processes of human hair, exploring the structural roles of keratin proteins, protein chains, and lipids, but offers no new results.

research Differential Expression of Genes Encoding a Cysteine-Rich Keratin Family in the Hair Cuticle

35 citations , September 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Organization and Expression of Hair Follicle Genes

28 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

research Organization and Expression of Hair Follicle Genes

48 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This article reviews the genetic and protein interactions involved in hair growth, highlighting regulatory sequences, expression patterns, and potential genetic modifications, but presents no new experimental findings.

research Sequence, Expression, and Evolutionary Conservation of a Gene Encoding a Glycine/Tyrosine-Rich Keratin-Associated Protein of Hair

76 citations , February 1993 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry”

This research observed that sheep and rabbit KAP6 genes, expressed in hair follicle cells, have high sequence similarity and indicate conservation due to evolutionary selection pressures.

research Structure and Biochemistry of Mammalian Hard Keratin

252 citations , January 1991 in “Electron Microscopy Reviews”

research Structure and Expression of Genes for a Class of Cysteine-Rich Proteins of the Cuticle Layers of Differentiating Wool and Hair Follicles

67 citations , December 1990 in “The journal of cell biology/The Journal of cell biology”

This study identified two evolutionarily conserved ultra-high-sulfur keratin proteins in human and sheep hair follicles, which are specifically expressed in the hair cuticle during the late stages of fiber development.