Keratinocyte Associated Transmembrane Protein 2 (KCT2)

KCT2 Widely expressed. Keratinocytes are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the human skin, constituting 95% of the cells found there. Those keratinocytes found in the basal layer of the skin are sometimes referred to as "basal cells" or "basal keratinocytes". The primary function of keratinocytes is the formation of a barrier against environmental damage such as pathogens, heat, UV radiation and water loss. A number of structural proteins, enzymes, lipids and antimicrobial peptides contribute to maintain the important barrier function of the skin. Once pathogens start to invade the upper layers of the epidermis, keratinocytes can react with the production of proinflammatory mediators and in particular chemokines such as CXCL10, CCL2 which attract leukocytes to the site of pathogen invasion.