KRT6B

Structural component of intermediate filaments in epithelial keratinocytes. Forms heteropolymers with the type I keratins KRT16 and KRT17, assembling keratin intermediate filament networks that contribute to the structural integrity and stress resilience of stratified epithelia and appendages. Induced during epidermal stress and wound repair, where it regulates keratinocyte migration and epithelial regeneration (By similarity). Negatively regulates collective keratinocyte migration by stabilizing non-muscle myosin MYH9 and desmoplakin, thereby altering cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and reducing the speed and directionality of epithelial sheet movement during wound repair (By similarity). Required for normal plantar and nail unit integrity..

Function from UniProtKB (P04259), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.