Krt73, a type II keratin gene, is specifically expressed in the inner root sheath of the hair follicle. It may play a role in the development of the inner root sheath and could potentially influence the morphology of wool crimp in sheep [3]. Keratins are crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial cells and are involved in various cellular processes related to cell shape, migration, and differentiation [3,5].

In a study on iRhom2(Uncv) mice with a hairless phenotype, Krt73 was among the differentially expressed proteins in the skin compared to wild-type mice. This indicates that Krt73 might participate in the mechanism by which iRhom2 regulates murine skin development [1]. In another study on alopecia areata, EOMEs, a T-box transcription factor, may affect keratinocytes function via regulating Krt73 expression, suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata [2]. Additionally, Krt73 was identified as a potential biomarker for Type-II leprosy reactions through comparative host transcriptomics and meta-analysis [4].

In conclusion, Krt73 is important for hair follicle-related processes, especially those associated with the inner root sheath. Its differential expression in mouse models and in human diseases like alopecia areata and leprosy reactions indicates its potential significance in understanding skin and hair-related pathologies, as well as immune-related responses in leprosy. The study of Krt73 in these models provides insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of these biological processes and diseases.

References:

1. Liu, Bing, Xu, Yuan, Li, Wen-Long, Zeng, Lin. . Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed skin proteins in iRhom2(Uncv) mice. In BMB reports, 48, 19-24. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24667173/

2. Yuan, Xin, Tang, Yan, Zhao, Zhixiang, Zhang, Yiya, Li, Ji. 2020. Identification and verification of EOMEs regulated network in Alopecia areata. In International immunopharmacology, 84, 106544. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106544. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32353685/

3. Shi, An, Lv, Jiangjiang, Ma, Qing, Zhou, Junsheng, Tao, Jinzhong. 2024. Study on the expression patterns of inner root sheath-specific genes in Tan sheep hair follicle during different developmental stages. In Gene, 927, 148751. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2024.148751. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38971547/

4. Mavlankar, Anuj, Sharma, Mukul, Ansari, Afzal, Singh, Pushpendra. . Comparative host transcriptomics as a tool to identify candidate biomarkers for immune reactions in leprosy using meta-analysis. In Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology, 90, 731-741. doi:10.25259/IJDVL_532_2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39152865/

5. Langbein, Lutz, Rogers, Michael A, Praetzel, Silke, Winter, Hermelita, Schweizer, Jürgen. . K6irs1, K6irs2, K6irs3, and K6irs4 represent the inner-root-sheath-specific type II epithelial keratins of the human hair follicle. In The Journal of investigative dermatology, 120, 512-22. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12648212/