Cytokeratins comprise a diverse group of intermediate filament proteins (IFPs) that are expressed as pairs in both keratinized and non-keratinized epithelial tissue, where they constitute up to 85% of mature keratinocytes in the vertebrate epidermis. Cytokeratins play a critical role in differentiation and tissue specialization and function to maintain the overall structural integrity of epi-thelial cells. The a-helical coiled-coil dimers associate laterally end-to-end to form 10 nm diameter filaments. Cytokeratins are useful markers of tissue differentiation, and in addition, they aid in the characterization of malignant tumors. Cytokeratin 20 is abundantly expressed in goblet cells and enterocytes of the gastrointestinal tract, and Cytokeratin 20 is a useful marker of pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Cytokeratin 20 is also helpful in distinguishing different types of highly related carcinomas, such as renal oncocytomas from renal cell carcinomas.
