KRT8 Human, His

Cytokeratin 8, also known as Keratin 8 or KRT8, is a type II intermediate filament protein that plays a crucial role in the structural integrity and function of epithelial cells. It is part of the cytoskeletal network that maintains cell shape, provides mechanical support, and participates in various cellular processes such as signal transduction and cellular differentiation.

Cytokeratin 8 is encoded by the KRT8 gene, which is located on the long arm of chromosome 12. The protein consists of 483 amino acids and has a molecular mass of approximately 56 kDa . It typically dimerizes with Keratin 18 to form intermediate filaments in simple single-layered epithelial cells . The recombinant form of Cytokeratin 8 is often produced in Escherichia coli and is fused to a His tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification .

Cytokeratin 8 is involved in maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial cells. It helps to link the contractile apparatus to dystrophin at the costameres of striated muscle . Additionally, Cytokeratin 8 plays a role in signal transduction and cellular differentiation. Phosphorylation on serine residues, particularly Ser-74, is enhanced during epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation and mitosis, which is important for keratin filament reorganization .

Recombinant Cytokeratin 8 (Human, His Tag) is widely used in research to study the function and regulation of intermediate filaments in epithelial cells. It is also used in various biochemical assays, including SDS-PAGE, to analyze protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications .

The recombinant Cytokeratin 8 protein is typically stored in a solution containing Tris-HCl buffer, urea, and glycerol to maintain its stability . It should be stored at 4°C if used within 2-4 weeks, or frozen at -20°C for longer periods. To prevent degradation, it is recommended to avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles .