To save this word, you'll need to log in.
cy·to·ker·a·tin | \ ˌsī-tō-ˈker-ə-tᵊn 
\
\Medical Definition of cytokeratin
: any of a class of fibrous proteins that are intermediate filaments of the cytoplasm of epithelial cells, provide structural support to the cytoskeleton and play a role in various cellular functions (as differentiation), are made up of paired polypeptide chains of which one chain is acidic and of low molecular weight and the other is basic or neutral and of high molecular weight, and are sometimes used as markers to identify malignancies of epithelial origin
Comments on cytokeratin
What made you want to look up cytokeratin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Obscure Shapes
- Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share cytokeratin