Keratin 18

Keratin 18 is a is_associated_with::type I cytokeratin. It is, together with its filament partner is_associated_with::keratin 8, perhaps the most commonly found products of the is_associated_with::intermediate filament gene family. They are expressed in single layer is_associated_with::epithelial tissues of the body. Mutations in this gene have been linked to is_associated_with::cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.

Keratin 18 is often used together with is_associated_with::keratin 8 and is_associated_with::keratin 19 to differentiate cells of epithelial origin from hematopoietic cells in tests that enumerate is_associated_with::circulating tumor cells in blood.

Interactions
Keratin 18 has been shown to interact with is_associated_with::Collagen, type XVII, alpha 1, is_associated_with::DNAJB6, is_associated_with::Pinin and is_associated_with::TRADD.