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Normal Function
The KRT14 gene provides instructions for making a protein called keratin 14. Keratins are a group of tough, fibrous proteins that form the structural framework of certain cells, particularly cells that make up the skin, hair, and nails. Keratin 14 is specifically produced in cells called keratinocytes in the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis).
Keratin 14 partners with a similar protein, keratin 5 (produced from the KRT5 gene), to form molecules called keratin intermediate filaments. These filaments assemble into strong networks that help attach keratinocytes together and anchor the epidermis to underlying layers of skin. The network of keratin intermediate filaments provides strength and resiliency to the skin and protects it from being damaged by friction and other everyday physical stresses.
Researchers believe that keratin 14 may also play a role in the formation of sweat glands and the development of patterned ridges on the skin of the hands and feet. These ridges, called dermatoglyphs, are the basis for each person's unique fingerprints.
Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex
More than 60 mutations in the KRT14 gene have been identified in people with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, a condition that causes the skin to be very fragile and to blister easily. Most of these genetic changes alter single protein building blocks (amino acids) used to make keratin 14. The most severe form of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, the Dowling-Meara type, usually results from changes in regions of keratin 14 that are essential for the normal assembly of keratin intermediate filaments. Milder forms of the disorder, including the localized type (formerly called the Weber-Cockayne type) and a form known as the other generalized type (formerly called the Koebner type), are often caused by changes affecting less critical regions of the protein.
KRT14 gene mutations change the structure and function of keratin 14, preventing it from working effectively with keratin 5 and interfering with the assembly of the keratin intermediate filament network. Mutations that cause severe forms of the disorder severely disrupt the assembly of keratin intermediate filaments, while mutations that result in milder forms impair keratin filament assembly to a lesser degree. A disruption in this network makes keratinocytes fragile and prone to rupture. Minor trauma to the skin, such as rubbing or scratching, can cause these cells to break down, resulting in the formation of painful, fluid-filled blisters.
More About This Health ConditionNaegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome/dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis
Several mutations in the KRT14 gene have been found to cause Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome/dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis (NFJS/DPR). This disorder is a rare form of ectodermal dysplasia, a group of about 150 conditions characterized by abnormal development of ectodermal tissues including the skin, hair, nails, teeth, and sweat glands. NFJS and DPR were originally described as separate conditions; however, they are now often considered forms of the same disorder.
The KRT14 gene mutations that cause NFJS/DPR most likely reduce the amount of functional keratin 14 in keratinocytes. A shortage of this protein makes these cells more likely to self-destruct (undergo apoptosis). The resulting loss of keratinocytes alters the normal development and structure of ectodermal tissues, which likely underlies most of the skin and nail problems characteristic of NFJS/DPR. However, it is unclear how a shortage of keratin 14 is related to the net-like pattern of dark skin coloring (reticulate hyperpigmentation) that is also a hallmark of this condition.
More About This Health ConditionOther Names for This Gene
- CK14
- cytokeratin 14
- EBS3
- EBS4
- K14
- K1C14_HUMAN
- keratin 14 (epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara, Koebner)
- keratin 14, type I
- Keratin, type I cytoskeletal 14
- Keratin-14
Additional Information & Resources
Tests Listed in the Genetic Testing Registry
Scientific Articles on PubMed
Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM
References
- Arin MJ, Grimberg G, Schumann H, De Almeida H Jr, Chang YR, Tadini G, Kohlhase J, Krieg T, Bruckner-Tuderman L, Has C. Identification of novel and known KRT5 and KRT14 mutations in 53 patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex: correlation between genotype and phenotype. Br J Dermatol. 2010 Jun;162(6):1365-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.09657.x. Epub 2010 Feb 25. Citation on PubMed
- Bolling MC, Lemmink HH, Jansen GH, Jonkman MF. Mutations in KRT5 and KRT14 cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex in 75% of the patients. Br J Dermatol. 2011 Mar;164(3):637-44. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10146.x. Epub 2011 Feb 17. Citation on PubMed
- Goh BK, Common JE, Gan WH, Kumarasinghe P. A case of dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis with wiry scalp hair and digital fibromatosis resulting from a recurrent KRT14 mutation. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 Apr;34(3):340-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.02950.x. Epub 2008 Nov 24. Citation on PubMed
- Lugassy J, Itin P, Ishida-Yamamoto A, Holland K, Huson S, Geiger D, Hennies HC, Indelman M, Bercovich D, Uitto J, Bergman R, McGrath JA, Richard G, Sprecher E. Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome and dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis: two allelic ectodermal dysplasias caused by dominant mutations in KRT14. Am J Hum Genet. 2006 Oct;79(4):724-30. doi: 10.1086/507792. Epub 2006 Aug 25. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
- Lugassy J, McGrath JA, Itin P, Shemer R, Verbov J, Murphy HR, Ishida-Yamamoto A, Digiovanna JJ, Bercovich D, Karin N, Vitenshtein A, Uitto J, Bergman R, Richard G, Sprecher E. KRT14 haploinsufficiency results in increased susceptibility of keratinocytes to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and causes Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome. J Invest Dermatol. 2008 Jun;128(6):1517-24. doi: 10.1038/sj.jid.5701187. Epub 2007 Nov 29. Citation on PubMed
- Muller FB, Kuster W, Wodecki K, Almeida H Jr, Bruckner-Tuderman L, Krieg T, Korge BP, Arin MJ. Novel and recurrent mutations in keratin KRT5 and KRT14 genes in epidermolysis bullosa simplex: implications for disease phenotype and keratin filament assembly. Hum Mutat. 2006 Jul;27(7):719-20. doi: 10.1002/humu.9437. Citation on PubMed
- Pfendner EG, Sadowski SG, Uitto J. Epidermolysis bullosa simplex: recurrent and de novo mutations in the KRT5 and KRT14 genes, phenotype/genotype correlations, and implications for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. J Invest Dermatol. 2005 Aug;125(2):239-43. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23818.x. Citation on PubMed
- Schuilenga-Hut PH, Vlies Pv, Jonkman MF, Waanders E, Buys CH, Scheffer H. Mutation analysis of the entire keratin 5 and 14 genes in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex and identification of novel mutations. Hum Mutat. 2003 Apr;21(4):447. doi: 10.1002/humu.9124. Citation on PubMed
- Titeux M, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, Hadj-Rabia S, Prost C, Tonasso L, Fraitag S, de Prost Y, Hovnanian A, Bodemer C. Three severe cases of EBS Dowling-Meara caused by missense and frameshift mutations in the keratin 14 gene. J Invest Dermatol. 2006 Apr;126(4):773-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700154. Citation on PubMed
- van Steensel MA, Lemmink HH. A missense mutation in KRT14 causing a dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis/Naegeli-Franceschetti-Jadassohn phenotype. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Sep;24(9):1116-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03598.x. Epub 2010 Feb 9. No abstract available. Citation on PubMed
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