Expressed in some epidermal sweat gland ducts (at protein level) and in exocervix, esophagus and placenta.

Defects in KRT13 are a cause of white sponge nevus of cannon (WSN) [MIM:193900]. WSN is a rare autosomal dominant disorder which predominantly affects non-cornified stratified squamous epithelia. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of soft, white, and spongy plaques in the oral mucosa. The characteristic histopathologic features are epithelial thickening, parakeratosis, and vacuolization of the suprabasal layer of oral epithelial keratinocytes. Less frequently the mucous membranes of the nose, esophagus, genitalia and rectum are involved.

Belongs to the intermediate filament family.

O-glycosylated; glycans consist of single N-acetylglucosamine residues.