3 citations
,
December 2021 in “Materials today communications” A new film made from human hair supports skin cell growth better than collagen.
25 citations
,
August 2017 in “Frontiers in Zoology” Marine mammals lost many α-keratin genes, aiding their adaptation to aquatic life by becoming hairless.
June 2025 in “Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry” The new method improves protein extraction and analysis in hair, aiding biomedical and forensic work.
198 citations
,
March 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Keratin 15 helps maintain tissue integrity and is reduced in activated keratinocytes.
28 citations
,
June 2012 in “International Journal of Molecular Medicine” Radiation damages hair stem cells and changes keratin expression, with Krt5 as a potential marker for radiation effects.
27 citations
,
May 2019 in “Cosmetics” The hair cuticle is made of tough proteins that protect the hair, but more research is needed to fully understand its structure.
12 citations
,
December 2011 30 citations
,
April 2009 in “Mycoses” Microsporum gypseum fungus breaks down keratin in hair by digesting it enzymatically, starting with less keratinized parts.
22 citations
,
July 1998 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The 4C32 gene may help in mouse skin development and differentiation.
13 citations
,
January 2018 in “Advances in experimental medicine and biology” 7 citations
,
July 2019 in “Animals” The KRTAP21-1 gene affects wool yield and can help improve wool production.
4 citations
,
January 2020 in “Genes” The KRTAP21-2 gene affects wool length and quality in sheep.
The GG genotype of the KRT71 gene leads to longer wool in Gansu alpine fine-wool sheep.
100 citations
,
December 2002 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Researchers mapped and categorized specific keratin-associated protein genes on human chromosome 21q22.1.
53 citations
,
May 1988 in “Journal of Molecular Evolution” 9 citations
,
November 2024 in “Biotechnology for Sustainable Materials” Keratin-based biomaterials are promising for wound healing, drug delivery, and nerve regeneration due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility.
December 2023 in “The journal of physical chemistry. B (1997 : Online)” Human hair keratin might be good for filtering out harmful substances from water.
106 citations
,
December 2015 in “Biomacromolecules” Keratin hydrogels can be customized for better tissue healing.
21 citations
,
June 2003 in “Journal of Morphology” Monotreme and marsupial skin proteins show primitive features and species-specific differences compared to placental mammals.
50 citations
,
March 2001 in “Clinics in dermatology” Human hair is complex and grows in cycles starting from embryonic life.
29 citations
,
August 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” New mutations in hair keratin genes cause the rare hair disorder monilethrix.
November 2024 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” Abnormal gene expression related to keratin causes hair loss in certain mice.
119 citations
,
August 2008 in “BMC Evolutionary Biology” KRTAP genes evolved early in mammals, leading to diverse hair traits.
35 citations
,
April 2008 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” Hirosaki hairless rats lack hair due to missing DNA with key keratin genes.
116 citations
,
April 1986 in “The journal of cell biology/The Journal of cell biology” Trichohyalin is a protein in hair follicles that helps form hair filaments.
22 citations
,
August 2015 in “PloS one” Keratin from hair binds well to gold and BMP-2, useful for bone repair.
8 citations
,
June 2001 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry” A truncated protein linked to breast cancer may change cell adhesion.
2 citations
,
March 2023 in “BMC ecology and evolution” Some hair protein genes evolved early and were adapted for use in hair follicles.
June 2025 in “Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine” Keratin biomaterials could help heal wounds and regenerate tissue, but more testing is needed.
The KRTAP36-2 gene in sheep affects wool yield.