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Related Concept Videos

Types of Intermediate Filaments01:31

Types of Intermediate Filaments

The intermediate filaments are an essential component of the cytoskeleton. Presently six types of intermediate filament have been identified. Type I and II are acidic and basic keratin proteins. Type III is of mesodermal origin and comprises four proteins: vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and peripherin. Vimentin is commonly found in mesenchymal cells, desmin in muscle cells, GFAP in astrocytes, while peripherin is found in peripheral nervous system neurons (PNS). Type...
The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

The intermediate filaments are one of three widely studied cytoskeletal filaments. They are so named as their diameter (10 nm) is in between that of microfilaments (7 nm) and the microtubules (25 nm).  These filaments are highly stable and can remain intact when exposed to high salt concentrations and detergents. These filaments are responsible for providing stability and mechanical support to the cells. They also help in cell adhesion and maintaining tissue integrity.
Intermediate filaments...
Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal proteins with higher tensile strength and flexibility than microfilaments and microtubules. Unlike the other two cytoskeletal proteins, intermediate filament formation lacks the enzymatic activity to hydrolyze nucleotides like ATP and GTP to generate energy for polymerization. Therefore, the formation of intermediate filaments is multistep self-assembly. The involvement of any accessory proteins in intermediate filament formation has not yet been reported.
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

Intermediate filaments (IFs) do not undergo spontaneous disassembly. Enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases add and remove phosphates from specific sites to regulate their disassembly. The IF concentration in the cytoplasm also regulates the disassembly. If the concentration crosses a threshold, it activates the protein kinases in the vicinity, allowing the phosphorylation of IFs.
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments01:28

Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...

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Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications
09:29

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications

Published on: May 18, 2017

[Intermediate-filament-associated diseases].

Denise Paulin1, Nicolas Diguet, Zhigang Xue

  • 1Génétique et Physiopathologie des Tissus Muscualaires, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris Cedex, France. denise.paulin@upmc.fr

Biologie Aujourd'Hui
|October 11, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are diverse intracellular protein networks crucial for cell structure and function. Mutations in IFs are linked to over 80 human diseases, highlighting their importance in health and disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Context:

  • Intermediate filaments (IFs) are a class of intracellular protein filaments, distinct from actin and microtubules.
  • They possess a conserved coiled-coil alpha-helical structure essential for polymerization into 10 nm filaments.
  • IFs encompass nuclear lamins and diverse cytoplasmic proteins forming cell-type specific networks.

Purpose:

  • To review the structure, classification, and functions of intermediate filaments (IFs).
  • To explore the pathological implications of IF mutations in human diseases.
  • To discuss the role of IFs in cellular mechanics, signaling, and gene regulation.

Summary:

  • IF proteins share a tripartite structure with conserved rod domains and variable head/tail regions.
  • Unlike actin and tubulin, IFs self-assemble without requiring nucleoside triphosphates.
  • IFs are categorized into seven classes based on sequence, with roles identified in various tissues and cellular processes.

Impact:

  • Mutations in IF genes cause over 80 human diseases, including skin, heart, muscle, liver, and brain disorders.
  • IFs contribute to cell plasticity, stress absorption, and interact with signaling pathways.
  • Understanding IFs is critical for deciphering mechanisms of premature aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Alexander disease and laminopathies.