The KRT6A antibody is a valuable tool for detecting keratin 6A, a type II intermediate filament protein encoded by the *KRT6A* gene. Keratin 6A, part of the keratin family, is primarily expressed in epithelial tissues, particularly in the skin, hair follicles, nails, and oral mucosa. It plays a critical role in maintaining structural integrity, cell signaling, and stress response in keratinocytes. KRT6A is notably upregulated in hyperproliferative or damaged skin, such as during wound healing or in psoriasis.
Mutations in *KRT6A* are linked to genetic disorders like pachyonychia congenita (PC), a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by painful palmoplantar keratoderma, nail dystrophy, and oral lesions. The KRT6A antibody is widely used in research and diagnostics to study keratinocyte differentiation, epithelial pathologies, and cancer biology, as aberrant KRT6A expression is observed in certain squamous cell carcinomas.
In laboratory settings, this antibody is applied in techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence to visualize KRT6A distribution and expression levels. Its specificity helps distinguish KRT6A from other keratin isoforms (e.g., KRT6B/C), aiding in precise disease subtyping and mechanistic studies. By elucidating KRT6A's role in epithelial homeostasis and disease, this antibody contributes to advancing therapeutic strategies for keratin-related disorders and epithelial cancers.