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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
Published on: March 6, 2018
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Physical properties of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments
Johanna Block1, Viktor Schroeder2, Paul Pawelzyk3
1Institut für Röntgenphysik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 16, 2015
Summary
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial eukaryotic structural proteins. This review explores their assembly, physical properties, and mechanical roles in cellular stability and tissue resilience.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
Background:
- Intermediate filaments (IFs) form a complex cytoplasmic network in eukaryotes.
- IFs interact with microfilaments and microtubules, exhibiting cell-type-specific properties.
- These proteins provide mechanical stability and resilience to cells and tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physical and mechanical properties of intermediate filaments.
- To explore the relationship between IF architecture and their functions.
- To cover IF assembly, individual filament mechanics, and network formation.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro studies on IFs.
- Analysis of cell experiments investigating IFs.
- Examination of IF assembly mechanisms and electrostatic interactions.
Main Results:
- IFs are hierarchical structures whose properties are encoded in their biopolymer architecture.
- Electrostatic interactions play a role in IF network and structure formation.
- Both in vitro and cellular IF networks exhibit distinct mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- The physical and mechanical properties of IFs are intrinsically linked to their unique architecture.
- Understanding IF mechanics is crucial for comprehending cellular and tissue resilience.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on IFs within the context of mechanobiology.
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