title: Characterization and expression analysis of the hair keratin associated protein KAP26.1.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human hair follicle keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) comprise a large multigene family of proteins thought to be responsible for the bundling of keratin intermediate filaments. Recently, four new KAP family members KAP24.1, KAP25.1, KAP26.1 and KAP27.1 were identified from the genome, but the expression of only one, KAP24.1, was investigated and shown in hair follicles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the current study, the expression of the remaining members of the family were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of samples from numerous human organs was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only KAP26.1 showed expression, which was limited to the hair follicle. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry using a specific antiserum, KAP26.1 was localized to the differentiated portion of the hair cuticle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As well as KAP24.1 in hair follicles, expression of KAP26.1 was shown and is found in the differentiated part of the hair cuticle.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Genetics, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 580, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. m.rogers@dkfz.de
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Langbein
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Praetzel-Wunder
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Giehl
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D015870:Gene Expression; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C533805:KRTAP25-1 protein, human; C533803:KRTAP26-1 protein, human; C533804:KRTAP27-1 protein, human