Chemicals and Drugs

Keratins

A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A class of fibrous proteins or scleroproteins that represents the principal constituent of EPIDERMIS; HAIR; NAILS; horny tissues, and the organic matrix of tooth ENAMEL. Two major conformational groups have been characterized, alpha-keratin, whose peptide backbone forms a coiled-coil alpha helical structure consisting of TYPE I KERATIN and a TYPE II KERATIN, and beta-keratin, whose backbone forms a zigzag or pleated sheet structure. alpha-Keratins have been classified into at least 20 subtypes. In addition multiple isoforms of subtypes have been found which may be due to GENE DUPLICATION.

MeSH Record

Classification

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See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

9 entry terms
  • Cytokeratin
  • Keratin
  • Keratin Associated Protein
  • Keratin-Associated Proteins
  • alpha-Keratin
  • Associated Protein, Keratin
  • Keratin Associated Proteins
  • Protein, Keratin Associated
  • alpha Keratin

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

29 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

2007(1966)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D05.750w.078w.593.450w
  2. D12.776w.220.475.450w
  3. D12.776w.860w.607w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Keratins. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D007633. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D007633
  2. Keratins. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratin
  3. Keratins. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189474