Keratin, Type II Cytoskeletal 8 (KRT8) Protein

Background

Keratin 8 (KRT8) is a type II intermediate filament protein primarily expressed in simple epithelial tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lungs, where it provides mechanical support and structural stability to epithelial cells KRT8 pairs with keratin 18 (KRT18) to form heterodimers that assemble into intermediate filaments, maintaining cytoskeletal integrity and cell resilience under mechanical and chemical stress KRT8 is involved in cell signaling, apoptosis, and protection against oxidative stress, contributing to epithelial cell survival Dysregulation or mutations in KRT8 are associated with liver diseases such as steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, where KRT8 aggregates can impair cellular function KRT8 also participates in tumorigenesis by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), enhancing cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis Elevated KRT8 expression is observed in various cancers, including colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer, where it serves as a diagnostic marker for disease progression and prognosis