Keratin: Collective name for a group of proteins that form the intermediate filaments in epithelial cells. Keratins have a molecular weight between 40 kD and 68 kD and are separated one from another by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing; thus separated, they are sequentially numbered from 1-20, and also subdivided into low, intermediate, and high molecular weight proteins. According to their isoelectric mobility they are either acidic or basic. In general, each acidic keratin protein has its basic equivalent with which it is paired to form the intermediate filaments; some keratin proteins, however, occur unpaired. Various epithelial cells contain different keratin proteins, in a tissue-specific manner. Antibodies to keratin proteins are widely used for histologic typing of tumors, and are especially useful for distinguishing carcinomas from sarcomas, lymphomas, and melanomas. SYN: ceratin, cytokeratin. [G. keras (kerat-), horn, + -in]
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Keratin: family of cystine-rich proteins that tend to aggregate in side-to- side fashion, forming tough filaments or sheets; main constituent of intermediate filaments in epidermal tissues.
Source: CRISP
Keratin: A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.
Source: MeSH 2007
Keratin (organ): Keratin is a type of protein makes up the epidermis, hair and nails. Keratin is produced by epidermal cells. Conditions that can afflict the keratin include ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens and monilethrix.
Keratin (organ): See Keratin (organ information).
More information on organs: Keratin:
Source - MeSH 2007
Source - MeSH 2007
Source - MeSH 2007
Source - MeSH 2007
Source - CRISP
Source: CRISP
The following list attempts to classify Keratin into categories where each line is subset of the next.
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