Hair keratin

Hair keratin refers to a family of structural fibrous proteins forming the main component of human hair, as well as animal fur and wool. Hair keratins are part of the intermediate filament family and are subdivided into type I (acidic) and type II (basic) keratins. These proteins form coiled-coil dimers, which then assemble into protofilaments and finally intermediate filaments, imparting hair with its characteristic strength, resilience, and elasticity. Disulfide bonds between cysteine residues provide high stability and resistance to physical and chemical stress. Multiple specific hair keratin proteins are expressed in a temporally and spatially regulated fashion within hair follicles, where they support hair shaft formation and hair follicle integrity. Mutations in individual hair keratin genes can lead to structural hair defects or inherited alopecia. Hair keratin is not a drug target; it is primarily of interest in genetics, dermatology, and hair manufacturing industries.

Other names

hair-specific keratintrichocyte keratinα-keratin (for hair type)type I hair keratintype II hair keratin

Not applicable (no known drugs target hair keratin directly as a therapeutic mechanism)