The keratin multigene family is made of "soft" epithelial cytokeratins and "hard" hair keratins. While the epithelial cytokeratins are involved in the layering and formation of epithelia, the hair keratins are responsible for creating nails and hair. There are two types of keratins: the acidic class I keratin proteins and the basic/neutral class II keratin proteins. Keratin 2 (KRT2), also known as Keratin type II cytoskeletal 2 epidermal, Keratin-2e (K2e), KRTE, Cytokeratin-2e (CK-2e), KRT2A or KRT2E, is a 639 amino acid class II epithelial Keratin protein belonging to the intermediate filament family. Encoded by a gene that maps to human chromosome 12q13.13, Keratin 2 functions in epidermal keratinocyte activation and proliferation, and plays a part in terminal cornification. Highly expressed in upper epithelial tissues, Keratin 2 forms heterotetramers with two class I Keratins and another class II Keratin. Defects in Keratin 2 have been linked to ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens (IBS), a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder.
Background References
1. Nishizawa A. et. al. 2007 A novel H1 domain mutation in the keratin 2 gene in a Japanese family with ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens. Br. J. Dermatol. 156:1042-1044.
2. Akiyama M. et. al. 2005. Ichthyosis bullosa of Siemens: its correct diagnosis facilitated by molecular genetic testing. Br. J. Dermatol. 152:1353-1356.
Sequence Similarity
Belongs to the intermediate filament family.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in the upper spinous and granular suprabasal layers of normal adult epidermal tissues from most body sites including thigh, breast nipple, foot sole, penile shaft and axilla. Not present in foreskin, squamous metaplasias and carcinomas. Expression in hypertrophic and keloid scars begins in the deepest suprabasal layer. Weakly expressed in normal gingiva and tongue, however expression is induced in benign keratoses of lingual mucosa and in mild-to-moderate oral dysplasia with orthokeratinization.
Western blot analysis of Cytokeratin 2e on human skin tissue lysates. Proteins were transferred to a PVDF membrane and blocked with 5% BSA in PBS for 1 hour at room temperature. The primary antibody (ET1701-13, 1/500) was used in 5% BSA at room temperature for 2 hours. Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG - HRP Secondary Antibody (HA1001) at 1:5,000 dilution was used for 1 hour at room temperature.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue using anti-Cytokeratin 2e antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ET1701-13, 1/50) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human esophagus tissue using anti-Cytokeratin 2e antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ET1701-13, 1/50) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
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