Krt73, an inner root sheath-specific type II keratin gene, is crucial for hair follicle development and may be involved in multiple biological processes [3,4]. Inner root sheath keratins play important roles in maintaining the structure and function of hair follicles, and are likely to be associated with pathways related to hair growth and skin development. Genetic models, such as mouse models, can be valuable tools for studying the function of Krt73.

In a proteomic study of iRhom2(Uncv) mice with a hairless phenotype, Krt73 was among the differentially expressed proteins in the skin compared to wild-type littermates, suggesting its potential participation in the mechanism by which iRhom2 regulates murine skin development [1]. In another study on alopecia areata, a transcription factor EOMEs was found to potentially affect keratinocytes function via regulating Krt73 expression, indicating a role for Krt73 in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata [2].

In conclusion, Krt73 is essential for hair-related biological processes, as revealed through model-based research. Its differential expression in mouse models of skin-related phenotypes and in alopecia areata patients' lesions highlights its significance in understanding the mechanisms of hair-related diseases, potentially providing new insights for diagnosis and treatment.