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Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

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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.
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Types of Intermediate Filaments01:31

Types of Intermediate Filaments

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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...
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Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

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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...
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Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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The cytoskeleton is a complex dynamic structure performing varied functions based on cellular requirements. The adaptability of the individual filaments in the cytoskeleton determines their ability to perform various functions within the cell. It can undergo rapid reorganization during processes like cell division or remain stable for several hours as in the interphase. The adaptability of these filaments depends on stringent regulatory mechanisms. The microfilament and microtubules of the...
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Introduction to the Cytoskeleton01:33

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

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Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments ̶   microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Each has characteristic features that distinguish them, including the dynamics of their assembly and disassembly, mechanical properties, polarity, and the type of molecular motors associated with them. Earlier, they were thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells; however, their...
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Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

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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...
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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Intermediate filament: structure, function, and applications in cytology.

Pranab Dey1, Jyoti Togra, Suvradeep Mitra

  • 1Department of Cytopathology and Gynecological Pathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Diagnostic Cytopathology
|March 5, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial cytoskeletal proteins in vertebrate cells, essential for cell structure and function. Their differential expression aids in diagnosing malignancies and predicting tumor prognosis.

Keywords:
carcinomacytokeratincytologycytoskeletondiagnosisintermediate filaments

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeletal Dynamics
  • Cancer Diagnostics

Background:

  • Intermediate filaments (IFs) are key cytoskeletal components in vertebrate cells, found in both cytoplasm and nucleus.
  • IFs are vital for cellular mechanical strength, growth, regeneration, survival, apoptosis, and migration.
  • Differential expression of IFs across tissues suggests their potential as diagnostic markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental structure, dynamics, and cellular distribution of intermediate filaments.
  • To explore the role of intermediate filaments in cytological diagnosis.
  • To discuss the potential prognostic significance of intermediate filaments in tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of intermediate filament structure and function.
  • Analysis of intermediate filament expression patterns in various tissues.
  • Examination of intermediate filament roles in cell biology and disease.

Main Results:

  • Intermediate filaments provide essential mechanical support and regulate cellular processes.
  • Differential expression of IFs, such as cytokeratin and vimentin, is observed across different tissues.
  • IF expression patterns are linked to the diagnosis and prognosis of various malignancies.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filaments are critical for cellular integrity and function.
  • The distinct expression of IFs holds significant value in diagnosing cancers, especially metastatic tumors of unknown origin.
  • IFs, particularly cytokeratin and vimentin, show promise as prognostic indicators in oncology.