Keratin, type II cuticular Hb1 (KRT81)

Keratin, type II cuticular Hb1 (KRT81) is a type II (basic) hair keratin that is an essential intermediate filament protein found primarily in the cortex of hair shafts, where it confers strength and flexibility to the hair’s structure. It heterodimerizes with type I (acidic) keratins to form stable filaments that assemble into the cytoskeletal framework of hair and some other hard keratinized structures such as nails. Mutations in KRT81 are implicated in monilethrix, a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by fragile, beaded hair. While primarily expressed in hair follicles, KRT81 has been detected in certain breast cancer cells and metastatic lymph nodes, where its role remains unclear and is a subject of ongoing research, but it is not an established drug target and there are no known interacting drugs. KRT81 does not act as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or conventional therapeutic target.

Other names

Keratin 81KRTHB1MLN137K81ghHb1Hb-1Hair keratin K2.9Keratin, hair, basic, 1Keratin-81Metastatic lymph node 137 gene proteinType II hair keratin Hb1Type-II keratin Kb21ghHKb1hard keratin type II 1HB1hHAKB2-1hair keratin K2.9hard keratin, type II, 1keratin, type II cuticular Hb1type II hair keratin Hb1type-II keratin Kb21