Keratin-associated protein 4-16 (KRTAP4-16)

Keratin-associated protein 4-16 is a member of the keratin-associated protein (KAP) family, which forms the matrix in which hair keratin intermediate filaments are embedded. This protein is thought to contribute to the structural integrity and mechanical properties of hair by enabling extensive disulfide bond cross-linking with keratins, particularly in the hair cortex. KRTAP4-16 is classified within the high-sulfur or ultrahigh-sulfur KAP subfamilies due to its amino acid content. The encoded protein is mainly localized to the cytosol and associated with keratin filaments in hair-forming cells. In humans it is either a protein-coding gene or, depending on the database, annotated as a pseudogene, reflecting uncertainty or species differences in functional expression. No evidence exists to support it as a druggable therapeutic target, nor is there a known role in signal transduction or disease pathogenesis beyond rare genetic associations to structural hair or corneal phenotypes[4][5][6][7][8][9].

Other names

KAP4AKRTAP4-16PKRTAP4P1keratin-associated protein 4 pseudogene 1keratin associated protein 4-16 pseudogenekeratin-associated protein 4A pseudogeneputative keratin-associated protein 4-16