Cytokeratin 19, also known as keratin 19, is a type I intermediate filament protein with a molecular weight of approximately 40-44 kD. Cytokeratin 19 is a heterotetramer composed of two type I and two type II keratin subunits. Unlike other cytokeratins, cytokeratin 19 lacks a C-terminal non-helical extension. This cytokeratin is widely expressed in the periderm (transient superficial layer enveloping developing epidermis), muscle, intestine, bile duct, esophagus, stomach, and thymus. Cytokeratin 19 can be upregulated by vitamin A and is thought to play a critical role in embryogenesis. Cytokeratin 19 intereacts with the pinin protein and has been shown to be modified by phosphorylation (Ser10, Ser35).The A53-B/A2 monoclonal antibody recognizes human cytokeratin 19 and is useful for Western blotting. This antibody has also been reported to be useful for immunoprecipitation, immunohistochemistry (paraffin sections), immunocytochemistry, and ELISA.