Expressed in cultured epidermal, bronchial and mesothelial cells but absent in colon, ectocervix and liver. Observed throughout the glandular cells in the junction between stomach and esophagus but is absent in the esophagus. .
Tissue Specificity
Blocks interferon-dependent interphase and stimulates DNA synthesis in cells. Involved in the translational regulation of the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 mRNA (HPV16 E7). .
Sequence Similarities
Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 7;Cytokeratin-7;CK-7;Keratin-7;K7;Sarcolectin;Type-II keratin Kb7;KRT7;SCL;
TCK7 (Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 7) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the KRT7 gene. CK7 is a member of the keratin family. It is specifically expressed in the simple epithelia lining the cavities of the internal organs and in the gland ducts and blood vessels. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the keratin gene family. The type II cytokeratins consist of basic or neutral proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic keratin chains coexpressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. This type II cytokeratin is specifically expressed in the simple epithelia lining the cavities of the internal organs and in the gland ducts and blood vessels. The genes encoding the type II cytokeratins are clustered in a region of chromosome 12q12-q13. Alternative splicing may result in several transcript variants; however, not all variants have been fully described.