Cytokeratin 14 (CK14), encoded by the KRT14 gene on chromosome 17q21.2, is a type I intermediate filament protein. It consists of 472 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa. CK14 undergoes various post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation, glycosylation, and formation of disulfide bonds. These modifications can modulate its stability, localization, and function within cells. CK14 is primarily an intracellular protein, serving as a structural component of the cytoskeleton, particularly in epithelial cells. It is prominently expressed in basal epithelial cells of the skin, oral cavity, esophagus, and urogenital tract. Various factors, including developmental signals, tissue-specific transcription factors, and hormonal influences, regulate the expression of CK14.
CK14 has been implicated in several health conditions and diseases. Notably, mutations in the KRT14 gene are associated with certain types of epidermolysis bullosa, a group of genetic disorders characterized by skin fragility and blistering. Furthermore, aberrant expression of CK14 has been observed in various epithelial tumors, including basal-like breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and some types of head and neck cancers.
CK14 expression has been shown to have diagnostic and prognostic value in certain cancers and diseases. For example, in breast cancer, CK14 expression is associated with the basal-like subtype, which tends to have a more aggressive clinical course and poorer prognosis compared to other subtypes. In this sense, measuring CK14 expression can help classify breast tumors and guide treatment decisions. In squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, CK14 expression has been linked to more aggressive tumor behavior and poorer patient outcomes. Furthermore, CK14 expression can also be informative in diagnosing certain skin disorders, such as epidermolysis bullosa. Detection of CK14 expression in skin biopsies can assist in confirming the diagnosis of this condition.
NeoBiotechnologies offers a variety of antibodies against CK14 that have been validated for ELISA, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting, as well as HuProt-validated options. Additionally, we hold exclusive rights to CK14 antibodies available for licensing or collaboration [https://www.neobiotechnologies.com/shop/page/2/?s=KRT14].
Synonyms
Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 14, CK14|EBS1|EBS1A|EBS1B|EBS1C|EBS1D|EBS3|EBS4|K14|NFJ
Research Areas
Apoptosis, Autophagy, Breast Cancer, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Cell Biology, Cellular Markers and Tags, Developmental Biology, Endocrine, Epigenetics, Gastrointestinal Tract, Hypoxia, Immuno Oncology, Immunology, Kidney, Lymphatic, Metabolism, Microbiology, Muscle, Neuroscience, Pancreatic Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin, Stem Cell, AKT Signaling, Angiogenesis, Articular Cartilage Extracellular Matrix, B Cell Markers, Basal Cell Marker, BBB VCAM-1 Signaling, Bladder Cancer, Cardiac Stem Cells, Colon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Complement System, CTLA-4 blockade immunotherapy, Cytokine Signaling, Defective Intrinsic Apoptosis, Dendritic Cell Marker, Digestion, Endothelial Cell Marker, Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Immune checkpoint, Infectious Disease, Lipid Metabolism, Lung Cancer, MAPK Signaling, Mast Cell Marker, Melanoma, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation, Mitochondria Marker, Neural Stem Cells, Neuroinflammation, Nuclear Marker, Oncology, Ovarian Cancer, PD-1 blockade immunotherapy, Signal Transduction, Stem Cell Differentiation, Transcription Factors