Keratin 28 Activators

Keratin 28 Activators are a class of chemical compounds that enhance the functional activity of Keratin 28, a protein that is part of the keratin family and is involved in the formation of the intermediate filament structure of epithelial cells. Some Keratin 28 activators, such as retinoic acid, tazarotene, isotretinoin, acitretin, and tretinoin, bind to retinoic acid receptors, promoting signaling cascades that lead to the enhanced functional activity of Keratin 28. This process exemplifies how specific nuclear receptors can be targeted to increase the functional activity of Keratin 28.

Other Keratin 28 activators act through different mechanisms, but all lead to the promotion of keratinocyte differentiation and the upregulation of Keratin 28. Calcipotriol and calcitriol, analogs and active forms of vitamin D respectively, bind to the vitamin D receptor in keratinocytes, leading to the increased expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, including Keratin 28. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid promote keratinocyte differentiation by exfoliating the skin, which can lead to the upregulation of Keratin 28. Methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil indirectly promote keratinocyte differentiation by inhibiting enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, leading to slowed proliferation and enhanced differentiation of keratinocytes, increasing the functional activity of Keratin 28.