Keratins—types I and II—are the intermediate-filament-forming proteins expressed in
epithelial cells. They are encoded by 54 evolutionarily conserved genes (28 type I, 26 type …

The keratins are the typical intermediate filament proteins of epithelia, showing an
outstanding degree of molecular diversity. Heteropolymeric filaments are formed by pairing …

The cytoplasm of animal cells is structured by a scaffolding composed of actin
microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Intermediate filaments, so named …

Gene knockout technology has provided a powerful tool for functional analyses of genes
expressed preferentially in a particular tissue. Given marked similarities between human …

▪ Abstract Many metazoan cells inhabit mechanically stressful environments and,
consequently, their plasma membranes are frequently disrupted. Survival requires that the …

Epithelial tissues function to protect the organism from physical, chemical, and microbial
damage and are essential for survival. To perform this role, epithelial keratinocytes undergo …

Intermediate filaments provide scaffolding for the cell and protect it against stress. This
comprehensive review points out that there are more than 100 intermediate filament genes …

The function of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in normal and wounded skin was assessed
by expression of a dominant-negative KGF receptor transgene in basal keratinocytes. The …

Previously we demonstrated that transgenic mice expressing mutant basal epidermal keratin
genes exhibited a phenotype resembling a group of autosomal dominant human skin …

Desmin, the muscle specific intermediate filament (IF) protein encoded by a single gene, is
expressed in all muscle tissues. In mature striated muscle, desmin IFs surround the Z-discs …