Keratin-8, human recombinant

Keratin 8 belongs to the type B (basic) subfamily of high molecular weight keratins and exists in combination with keratin 18. Keratin 8 is primarily found in the non-squamous epithelia and is present in majority of adenocarcinomas and ductal carcinomas. It is absent in squamous cell carcinomas. HepatoCellular carcinomas are defined by the use of antibodies that recognize only cytokeratin polypeptides 8 and 18. The recombinant human keratin-8 is expressed in E. coli and purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.