Cytokeratin 18 Recombinant Rabbit Monoclonal Antibody

Function

Cytokeratins comprise a diverse group of intermediate filament proteins (IFPs) that are expressed as pairs in both keratinized and non-keratinized epithelial tissue. Cytokeratins play a critical role in differentiation and tissue specialization and function to maintain the overall structural integrity of epithelial cells. Cytokeratins have been found to be useful markers of tissue differentiation which is directly applicable to the characterization of malignant tumors. For example, Cytokeratins 10 and 13 are expressed highly in a subset of squamous cell carcinomas while Cytokeratin 18 is expressed in a majority of adenocarcinomas and basal cell carcinomas. Cytokeratin 18 contains two major phosphorylation sites on Ser 33 and Ser 52. Phosphorylation of Ser 18 is essential for the association of Cytokeratin 18 with 14-3-3 proteins and is involved in keratin organization and distribution.

Background References

1. Kuramoto G et al. Preventive effect of oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets on intrauterine adhesions. Hum Reprod 30:406-16 (2015).

2. Huang YS et al. RGD surface functionalization of the hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens material to control posterior capsular opacification. PLoS One 9:e114973 (2014).

Sequence Similarity

Belongs to the intermediate filament family.

Tissue Specificity

Expressed in colon, placenta, liver and very weakly in exocervix. Increased expression observed in lymph nodes of breast carcinoma.

Post-translational Modification

Phosphorylation at Ser-34 increases during mitosis. Hyperphosphorylated at Ser-53 in diseased cirrhosis liver. Phosphorylation increases by IL-6.; Proteolytically cleaved by caspases during epithelial cell apoptosis. Cleavage occurs at Asp-238 by either caspase-3, caspase-6 or caspase-7.; O-GlcNAcylation increases solubility, and decreases stability by inducing proteasomal degradation.

Subcellular Location

Cytoplasm, Nucleus.

UNIPROT

SwissProt: P05783 Human

Synonyms