Structural component of intermediate filaments in epithelial keratinocytes. Forms heteropolymers with the type I keratins KRT16 and KRT17, assembling keratin intermediate filament networks that contributes to the structural integrity and stress resilience of stratified epithelia and appendages (PubMed:9618173). Induced during epidermal stress and wound repair, where it regulates keratinocyte migration and epithelial regeneration (By similarity). Negatively regulates collective keratinocyte migration by stabilizing non-muscle myosin MYH9 and desmoplakin, thereby altering cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion and reducing the speed and directionality of epithelial sheet movement during wound repair (By similarity). Required for normal palmoplantar, nail unit and oral mucosa integrity (PubMed:9618173). . This is the function of KRT6B (keratin 6B, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000185479).