KRT6A
KRT6A (keratin 6A) is a type II cytoskeletal keratin and a structural component of intermediate filaments in epithelial keratinocytes. Also known as CK6C, K6C, CK6D, K6D, KRT6C and KRT6D, it is rapidly induced in wound-edge keratinocytes. Browse Assay Genie's current range of KRT6A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
KRT6A is a structural component of intermediate filaments in epithelial keratinocytes. It forms heteropolymers with the type I keratins KRT16 and KRT17, which assemble into keratin filament networks. These networks contribute to the structural integrity and stress resilience of stratified epithelia, particularly the epidermis, nail bed and oral mucosa. The protein is required for normal plantar and nail unit integrity.
KRT6A is rapidly induced in wound-edge keratinocytes and takes part in cytoskeletal reorganisation during re-epithelialisation. It also acts as a brake on repair-associated movement. It negatively regulates collective keratinocyte migration by stabilising non-muscle myosin MYH9 and desmoplakin. This alters cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and reduces the speed and directionality of epithelial sheet movement. It also limits epithelial migration by inhibiting SRC activity during wound repair.
The KRT6A gene belongs to the type II keratins, which are basic or neutral proteins arranged in heterotypic pairs and coexpressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelia. As many as six KRT6 genes have been identified, a multiplicity attributed to successive gene duplication events; this one encodes the most abundant isoform. It is expressed with KRT16 and/or KRT17 in the filiform papillae of the tongue, the epithelial lining of the oral mucosa and oesophagus, the outer root sheath of hair follicles and glandular epithelia. Previous names include keratin 6C and keratin 6D. Mutations in these genes are associated with pachyonychia congenita, and peptides from the C-terminal region have antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens.
KRT6A is rapidly induced in wound-edge keratinocytes and restrains collective migration during re-epithelialisation, making it a key protein for studying wound repair.
KRT6A pairs with KRT16 and KRT17 to build keratin filament networks that support the resilience of stratified epithelia.
Mutations in KRT6 genes are associated with pachyonychia congenita, and KRT6A is required for normal plantar and nail unit integrity.
KRT6A stabilises MYH9 and desmoplakin and inhibits SRC activity, linking keratin networks to adhesion and migration control.
KRT6A is a structural component of keratin intermediate filaments in epithelial keratinocytes. It pairs with KRT16 and KRT17 to support stratified epithelia, and during wound repair it slows collective keratinocyte migration by stabilising MYH9 and desmoplakin and inhibiting SRC.
KRT6A is also called keratin 6A, type II, and cytokeratin 6A. Aliases and previous symbols include CK6C, K6C, CK6D, K6D, KRT6C and KRT6D. UniProt lists the protein as keratin, type II cytoskeletal 6A, and the NCBI summary notes that this gene encodes the most abundant KRT6 isoform.
Mutations in KRT6 genes have been associated with pachyonychia congenita. Mouse and rat both have a Krt6a ortholog, so rodent models can be used for study. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Keratin partners, other type II keratins and epithelial cytoskeletal proteins with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P02538; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.