Cross β-Sheet Conformation of Keratin 8 Is a Specific Feature of Mallory-Denk Bodies Compared With Other Hepatocyte Inclusions

K8 can undergo conformational changes from predominantly α-helical to cross β-sheet, which would allow it to form MDBs. These findings might account for the observation that krt8−/− mice do not form MDBs, whereas its excess facilitates MDB formation. LCOs might be used in diagnosis of liver disorders; they can be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues to characterize protein aggregates in liver cells.