Mice homozygous for this targeted mutation are viable and fertile and do not display any gross physical or behavioral abnormalities. Hepatocytes are completely devoid of keratin filaments, but desmosomes are formed and maintained. At 18 months of age, mice consistently show a distinctive liver pathology with abnormal hepatocytes containing K8 (KRT8)-positive aggregates (Mallory bodies).  No KRT18 protein is produced from the targeted gene, as determined by Western blot of liver tissue. This mutant mouse strain may be useful in studies pertaining to keratin 18 (<i>Krt18</i>) and its partner keratin 8 (<i>Krt8</i>) function in glandular tissues such as liver and pancreas.  

Mice homozygous for this knock-out mutation exhibit liver defects.

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