Cytokeratin 14 (CK14)

Keratin 14 is a type I cytokeratin. It is usually found as a heterotetramer with two keratin 5 molecules, a type II keratin. Together they form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells.Mutations in the genes for these keratins are associated with epidermolysis bullosa simplex and Dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis, both of which are autosomal dominant mutations.

KRT14 belongs to a large group of acidic type I keratins that interact with basic type II keratins to form the 8-nm cytoskeletal filaments of epithelial cells. Both type I and type II keratins have a central alpha-helical domain of over 300 amino acids that mediates keratin interaction. KRT14 is expressed in the basal layer of stratified squamous epithelia, including epidermis .