Keratin, type II cytoskeletal 78 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''KRT78'' gene. This gene is a member of the type II keratin gene family and encodes a protein with an intermediate filament domain. Keratins are the major

structural proteins Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respond ...

in epithelial cells, forming a

cytoplasmic In cell biology, the cytoplasm is all of the material within a eukaryotic cell, enclosed by the cell membrane, except for the cell nucleus. The material inside the nucleus and contained within the nuclear membrane is termed the nucleoplasm. The ...

network of 10 to 12 nm wide intermediate filaments and creating a scaffold that gives cells the ability to withstand

mechanical Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations ...

and non-mechanical stresses. The genes of the type II keratin family are located as a gene cluster at 12p13.13. Four pseudogenes of this gene family have been identified.

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