The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the keratin gene family. The type II cytokeratins consist of basic or neutral proteins which are arranged in pairs of heterotypic (i.e., different types of) keratin chains coexpressed during differentiation of simple and stratified epithelial tissues. The type II cytokeratin genes are clustered in a region of chromosome 12q12-q13. This type II cytokeratin is specifically expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis with family member KRT14.
Eckert and Rorke (1988) cloned full-length KRT5 from a cultured keratinocyte cDNA library. The deduced 590-amino acid protein contains a central alpha-helical core region of about 310 amino acids with a 7-amino acid repeat found in coiled-coil structures. The N and C termini are serine rich and contain gly-gly-gly-x motifs.