Gene Symbol

KRT8

Aliases

CARD2, CK-8, CK8, CYK8, K2C8, K8, KO

Entrez Gene ID

3856

Gene Name

Keratin 8

Chromosomal Location

12q13.13

HGNC ID

HGNC:6446

Summary

This gene is a member of the type II keratin family clustered on the long arm of chromosome 12. Type I and type II keratins heteropolymerize to form intermediate-sized filaments in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. The product of this gene typically dimerizes with keratin 18 to form an intermediate filament in simple single-layered epithelial cells. This protein plays a role in maintaining cellular structural integrity and also functions in signal transduction and cellular differentiation. Mutations in this gene cause cryptogenic cirrhosis. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2012]

Function

Together with KRT19, helps to link the contractile apparatus to dystrophin at the costameres of striated muscle.

P05787