Keratin 7

Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 7 also known as cytokeratin-7 (CK-7) or keratin-7 (K7) or sarcolectin (SCL) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT7 is_associated_with::gene. Keratin 7 is a is_associated_with::type II keratin. It is specifically expressed in the simple epithelia lining the cavities of the internal organs and in the gland ducts and is_associated_with::blood vessels.

Function
Keratin-7 is a member of the is_associated_with::keratin gene family. The type II cytokeratins consist of basic or neutral proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains coexpressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. This type II cytokeratin is specifically expressed in the simple epithelia lining the cavities of the internal organs and in the gland ducts and blood vessels. The genes encoding the type II cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 12q12-q13. Alternative splicing may result in several transcript variants; however, not all variants have been fully described.

Keratin-7 is found in simple glandular epithelia, and in is_associated_with::transitional epithelium. Epithelial cells of the lung and breast both contain keratin-7, but some other glandular epithelia, such as those of the colon and is_associated_with::prostate, do not. Because the keratin-7 is_associated_with::antigen is found in both healthy and neoplastic cells, antibodies to CK7 can be used in is_associated_with::immunohistochemistry to distinguish ovarian and is_associated_with::transitional cell carcinomas from colonic and prostate cancers, respectively. It is commonly used together with CK20 when making such diagnoses.

Model organisms
is_associated_with::Model organisms have been used in the study of KRT7 function. A conditional is_associated_with::knockout mouse line called Krt7tm1b(KOMP)Wtsi was generated at the is_associated_with::Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Male and female animals underwent a standardized is_associated_with::phenotypic screen to determine the effects of deletion. Additional screens performed: - In-depth immunological phenotyping

''