Keratin 16
Encyclopedia
Keratin 16 is a protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...

 that in humans is encoded by the KRT16 gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

.

Keratin 16 is a type I cytokeratin
Type I cytokeratin
Type I keratins constitutes the Type I intermediate filaments of the intracytoplasmatic cytoskeleton, which is present in all mammalian epithelial cells...

. It is paired with keratin 6 in a number of epithelial tissues, including nail bed, esophagus
Esophagus
The esophagus is an organ in vertebrates which consists of a muscular tube through which food passes from the pharynx to the stomach. During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus and travels via peristalsis to the stomach...

, tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...

, and hair follicle
Hair follicle
A hair follicle is a skin organ that produces hair. Hair production occurs in phases, including a growth phase , and cessation phase , and a rest phase . Stem cells are principally responsible for the production of hair....

s. Mutations in the gene encoding this protein are associated with the genetic skin disorders pachyonychia congenita
Pachyonychia congenita
Pachyonychia congenita, also called Jadassohn-Lewandowski Syndrome or simply pachyonychia, is an autosomal dominant skin disorder.-Symptoms:Common symptoms include:*Excess keratin in nail beds and thickening of the nails...

, non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and unilateral palmoplantar verrucous nevus
Unilateral palmoplantar verrucous nevus
A Unilateral palmoplantar verrucous nevus is a cutaneous condition that has features of pachyonychia congenita....

.

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