The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the keratin family. The keratins are intermediate filament proteins responsible for the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are subdivided into cytokeratins and hair keratins. The type I cytokeratins consist of acidic proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains. Unlike its related family members, this smallest known acidic cytokeratin is not paired with a basic cytokeratin in epithelial cells. It is specifically expressed in the periderm, the transiently superficial layer that envelopes the developing epidermis. The type I cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 17q12-q21.
    mol wt:44kDa
    Other Aliases:
    40 kDa keratin intermediate filament; CK 19; ck19; Cytokeratin 19; k19; k1cs; Keratin 19; Keratin type I 40 kD; Keratin type i 40kD; Keratin type I cytoskeletal 19; krt19; mgc15366.