Keratin 27 (KRT27)

KRT27 encodes a member of the type I (acidic) keratin family, which belongs to the superfamily of intermediate filament (IF) proteins. Keratins are heteropolymeric structural proteins which form the intermediate filament. These filaments, along with actin microfilaments and microtubules, compose the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. The type I keratin genes are clustered in a region of chromosome 17q12-q21.

Strongly expressed in skin and scalp, and weak expression observed in thymus and tongue. In the hair follicle, expressed in Henle layer, Huxley layer and in the inner root sheath cuticle of the hair follicle. Expression extends from the bulb region up to the point of differentiation into the three layers. Also present in the medulla of beard hair (at protein level).