The nail plate (corpus unguis) is the hard part of the nail, made of translucent keratin protein.
They can be identified by the fact that they express "hard", "trichocyte" or "hair" keratin proteins.
Desmosomes attach to the microfilaments of cytoskeleton made up of keratin protein.
During the process of epithelial differentiation, cells become cornified as keratin protein is incorporated into longer keratin intermediate filaments.
DPR is comparable to Naegeli syndrome, both of which are caused by a specific defect in the keratin 14 protein.
Be aware, except where it is attached to the head (in the follicle) hair is dead keratin protein.
On the cytoplasmic side, plakins form plaques which anchor the desmosomes to intermediate filaments composed of keratin proteins.
The disulfide bridges found in keratin protein are cleaved but can be reformed.
Naegeli syndrome is similar to Dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis, both of which are caused by a specific defect in the keratin 14 protein.
Differentiated keratinocytes secrete keratin proteins which contribute to the formation of an extracellular matrix and is an integral part of the skin barrier function.