Cytokeratin 17 is a member of the Cytokeratin subfamily of intermediate filament proteins (IFPs). It is unique in that it is normally expressed in the basal cells of complex epithelia but not in stratified or simple epithelia. Cytokeratin 17 contains 432 amino acids and is expressed in the nail bed, hair follicle, sebaceous glands and other epidermal appendages. Cytokeratin 17 functions to regulate cell growth and size through its interactions with the adaptor protein 14-3-3-sigma to mediate protein synthesis. Mutations in the gene encoding for Cytokeratin 17 lead to depressed protein translation and smaller sized skin keratinocytes, corresponding to decreased Akt/mTOR signaling activity. Cytokeratin 17 may be a useful marker for cervical stem cell identification, squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, respiratory syncytial virus and transitional cell carcinomas of the human urinary tract.
