The KRT38 gene helps make a keratin protein that gives growing hair structure and resilience. If it does not work as expected, hair may form a little differently, which can affect texture, strength, or how easily strands break. This gene plays an important role in the hair follicle as the hair shaft is built.
What is a gene?
A gene is a stretch of DNA that holds information cells can use to make molecules or direct processes in the body. Some genes carry the instructions for making proteins, the cell parts that do much of the work. Other genes mainly help regulate when certain processes happen, where they happen, and how strongly they run. Together, genes affect how the body develops and works, and they can shape how you respond to food, stress, or medications. To explore this topic in more detail, you can learn more in the LearnHub.
Overview
KRT38Gene function
What if the gene works
The KRT38 gene helps make a keratin protein that supports the structure of growing hair. It is active mainly in hair follicles, where it contributes to the strength and shape of the hair shaft.
Risk
What if the gene does not work
Changes in the KRT38 gene can range from milder to more severe and may reduce how well a hair keratin protein helps build the hair shaft. This can weaken the keratin network inside hair-forming cells.
Treatment
What does that mean for your treatment
No KRT38-specific treatment or management approach is currently established.
Gene function
What if the gene works
Hair gets much of its shape and resilience from a network of sturdy proteins made in hair follicles. The KRT38 gene helps build part of that network in the growing hair shaft. When it works normally, it supports hair structure so strands can hold their form during everyday brushing, washing, and styling.
The KRT38 gene helps build one of the proteins that gives normal hair shaft structure and strength. This support helps strands keep their shape during daily wear.
Its protein pairs with a matching hair keratin inside hair-forming cells. Together they make intermediate filaments (tiny support cables) that hold the hair fiber together.
This keratin network helps hair stay firm while still bending with routine brushing and styling. That balance supports the look and feel of healthy growing hair.
What is a variant?
A genetic variant is a small difference in the DNA sequence of a gene. Variants like these are common and help explain normal human diversity, including differences in appearance, metabolism, or the body’s response to environmental influences. Many do not cause any noticeable effect and simply reflect natural genetic variation. In some cases, though, a variant can more substantially affect how a gene functions and may contribute to or cause a genetic condition.
Genetic variants
What if the gene does not work
Variants in the KRT38 gene can change how the keratin 38 protein folds, how stable it is, and how well it pairs with partner keratins to form cell filaments. KRT38 gene variants may affect protein structure and stability most when a DNA change alters the protein’s rod region, which is central to assembly. Milder variants may partly reduce filament formation, while more severe variants can disrupt the protein or stop it from being made.
How variants are linked to conditions
The KRT38 gene does not yet have a broadly confirmed link to a specific health condition, although research on KRT38 gene variants and disease may continue to develop. If you carry a reported change in the KRT38 gene, your doctor or genetic counselor can interpret it alongside your symptoms, medical history, and family history.
A variant is not necessarily a diagnosis
Genetic variants are a routine part of human biology and are widespread in the general population. Most do not have a direct effect on health and simply reflect natural human diversity. For many genes, carrying a variant associated with a condition indicates a possible link rather than a definitive diagnosis, especially when several genes and environmental factors play a role. In some situations, however, a single well characterized variant in a specific gene is enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Are there things that can increase or change my risk?
There is not yet broadly confirmed evidence on specific factors that increase or reduce health risk related to KRT38. If KRT38 appears on a genetic test and you have questions about what it means for you or your family, a doctor or genetic counselor can help put it in context.
Inheritance of KRT38 variants
There is not yet a broadly confirmed disease related inheritance pattern for the KRT38 gene, so the inheritance of KRT38 gene variants is still being worked out as research develops. KRT38 is located on chromosome 17, which is an autosome rather than a sex chromosome. That means you inherit one copy of the KRT38 gene from your mother and one copy from your father. In general, variants in autosomal genes can be passed to children of any sex.
What does my KRT38 result mean for my family?
There isn't yet a broadly confirmed inheritance pattern tied to a specific health condition for KRT38, though this understanding can change as research develops. If you have a specific KRT38 result and questions about what it could mean for your family, a doctor or genetic counselor can explain it in the context of your personal and family history.
Genetic information
Genetic testing
How you find out about variants
Genetic testing for KRT38 variants usually uses a blood or saliva sample. A lab reads the KRT38 gene and compares any DNA changes with reference data to sort them as benign, uncertain, or more likely to matter for health. Results can show whether a KRT38 variant was found.
When should I consider getting a genetic test?
There is not yet a broadly established KRT38-specific reason for genetic testing in routine care. Testing decisions are usually based on your symptoms and family history, ideally with guidance from a doctor or genetic counselor.
A genetic result is only one part of your health story
Genetic findings can provide useful insight, but how much they explain varies based on the condition and the type of variant involved. Over time, many other factors also shape how the body works, including lifestyle, environment, age, and medical history. In some conditions, especially those influenced by many genes, genetic information provides context rather than certainty and is most useful when viewed alongside other parts of care. In other situations, a genetic result can give a clear answer. In areas like medication response, genetic results may help put personal experiences into context.
Pharmacogenetics
How variants shape your response to medicine
Genetic variation can affect how people respond to medicines. Small differences in DNA can change how the body breaks down a drug, moves it through the bloodstream, or responds to it at its target. This helps explain why the same medication may work well for one person, work less well for another, or cause more side effects in someone else.
What is Pharmacogenetics?
Pharmacogenetics looks at how differences in a person’s genes can affect their response to medicines. It examines patterns between genes and drugs to better explain why the same treatment may work differently from one person to another. For many medications, genes can influence how strongly a drug works or how the body handles it. This information can help support more informed and individualized treatment decisions. To explore this topic in more depth, you can learn more in the LearnHub.
Drugs influenced by the KRT38 gene
When should I seek medical advice?
There is not yet a broadly confirmed role for this gene in guiding medication choices, so questions about side effects, treatment response, or other health concerns are best discussed with your doctor.