keratin

(noun)

A protein of which hair and nails are comprised.

Related Terms

Examples of keratin in the following topics:

  • Desmosomes

    • A desmosome is a type of cell junction that attaches to keratin in the cytoplasm and is a localized structure adjoining two cells.
    • A desmosome , also known as macula adherens, is a type of cell junction that attaches to filaments of keratin in the cytoplasm and is characterized by a localized patch that holds two cells tightly together.
    • The Inner Dense Plaque is where desmoplakin attaches to the keratin filaments inside the cell.
    • The symptoms of the diseases are caused by the subsequent disruption to the desmosome-keratin filament complex leading to a breakdown in cell adhesion in the skin.

  • Nails

    • Finger nails are made of keratin and they perform two major functions: protection and sensation.
    • The fingernail is an important structure made of keratin.
    • The nail plate is the actual fingernail, composed of translucent keratin.

  • Structure of the Skin: Epidermis

    • This protein is appropriately called keratin. 
    • Keratin makes our skin tough and provides us with much-needed protection from microorganisms, physical harm, and chemical irritation. 
    • The keratinocytes produce a lot of keratin in this layer—they become filled with keratin. 
    • This process is known as keratinization. 
    • They are dead skin cells filled with the tough protein keratin. 

  • Types of Epithelial Tissue

    • In keratinized epithelia, the most apical layers (exterior) of cells are dead and lose their nucleus and cytoplasm.
    • They contain a tough, resistant protein called keratin.
    • The lining of the esophagus is an example of a non-keratinized or moist stratified epithelium.

  • Hemidesmosomes

    • Together, the HD-anchoring filament complex forms a continuous structural link between the basal keratinocyte keratin intermediate filaments and the underlying basement membrane zone (BMZ) and dermal components.
    • An example configuration of a hemidesmosome might consist of cytosolic keratin, non-covalently bonded to a cytosolic plectin plaque, which is bonded to a single-pass transmembrane adhesion molecule such as the α6β4 integrin.

  • What is Skin?

    • This is the layer where part of keratin production occurs. 
    • Keratin is a protein that is the main component of skin.   

  • Hair

    • These older cells die and become keratinized in the process. 
    • This means that most hair is made up of protein (keratin). 

  • Mucosa

    • In the esophagus, the epithelium is stratified, squamous, and non-keratinizing, for protective purposes.

  • Impacted Cerumen

    • The primary components of earwax are shed layers of skin, with 60% of the earwax consisting of keratin, 12–20% saturated and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, alcohols, squalene, and 6–9% cholesterol.

  • Urethra

    • Its lining is composed primarily of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which becomes transitional near the bladder.