KRT6B (Keratin 6B) is a protein coding gene located on chromosome 12q13.13.
Diseases associated with KRT6B include:
Metabolic pathways affected by this gene include developmental biology and keratinization. Functions associated with gene activity involve structural molecular activity and structural component of the cytoskeleton. An important paralog of this gene is KRT6C.
The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the keratin family. Type II cytokeratins consist of basic or neutral proteins arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains that are expressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. Up to six of these type II cytokeratins (KRT6) have been identified.
The genes, along with family members KRT16 and/or KRT17, are expressed in the filiform papillae of the tongue, in the stratified epithelial lining of the oral mucosa and esophagus, in the outer root sheath of hair follicles, and in glandular epithelia.