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Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

6.1K
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...
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Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

4.3K
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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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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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...
2.9K
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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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

28.5K
Cytoskeletal filaments are polymeric forms of smaller protein subunits. However, individual cytoskeletal filaments may easily disassemble or associate with other similar filaments to form rigid structures. Microfilaments, made of actin monomers, rely on actin-binding proteins to form bundles and create networks of individual actin filaments. Microtubules rely on microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) to form sturdy cylindrical structures. However, the proteins involved in forming complex...
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Updated: Apr 18, 2026

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

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Evolutionary aspects in intermediate filament proteins.

Annette Peter1, Reimer Stick1

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Germany.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|January 11, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins are key cytoskeletal components in animals. Their evolution traces back to a common ancestor, with significant diversification occurring during vertebrate and metazoan lineage development.

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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
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Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications
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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intermediate filament (IF) proteins are essential cytoskeletal components in metazoans, alongside tubulins and actins.
  • IF proteins exhibit diverse functions while maintaining shared structural characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins and diversification of intermediate filament proteins within the metazoan lineage.
  • To understand the phylogenetic relationships and major evolutionary events in IF protein evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of IF protein sequences across metazoan lineages.
  • Comparative genomics to trace the ancestral origins and diversification patterns.

Main Results:

  • The origin of IF proteins can be traced back to a common lamin-like ancestor.
  • Key evolutionary innovations in lamin proteins occurred at the emergence of vertebrates.
  • Cytoplasmic IF protein subfamilies evolved independently in distinct major metazoan lineages.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filament proteins have a deep evolutionary history originating from a single ancestral type.
  • The evolution of IF proteins involved both conserved ancestral traits and lineage-specific innovations.
  • Understanding IF protein evolution provides insights into cytoskeletal complexity in animals.