Abstract
Cytokeratins are proteins of keratin-containing intermediate laments found in the intracytoplasmic cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. Cytokeratins are represented in epithelial tissue by at least 20 different polypeptides. They range in molecular weight between 40KDa and 60KDa and isoelectric pH between 4.9-7.8. The individual cytokeratin polypeptides are designated 1 to 20. Cytokeratin 1 has the highest molecular weight and highest isoelectric pH, while CK19 has the lowest molecular weight and a low isoelectric pH. Cytokeratins are divided into type I and type II subgroups. The detection of cytokeratins in neoplasms by immunohistochemistry has numerous diagnostic and investigative applications. The patterns of cytokeratin expression in the normal epithelium, as well as their altered expression in premalignant lesions and malignancies, might suggest newer diagnostic improvements for positive patient outcomes.
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