KRT37
Description
The KRT37 (keratin 37) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 17.
KRT37 is a human gene that encodes a protein called keratin 37. This protein is part of the keratin gene family and is uniquely regulated by androgens. This sensitivity to androgens is a human-specific adaptation, not shared with great apes. While KRT37 is expressed in all hair follicles of chimpanzees, it is not found in the head hair of humans. This absence of KRT37 in human scalp hair may contribute to the paradoxical nature of androgenic alopecia (hair loss), where androgens promote body hair growth but reduce scalp hair growth. The gene's variation may also account for ethnic differences in body and facial hair.
KRT37 is also known as HA7, K37, KRTHA7.
