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Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

6.0K
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

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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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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...
5.1K
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

2.8K
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...
2.8K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

28.3K
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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Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

10.5K
The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy

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Using Data Mining and Computational Approaches to Study Intermediate Filament Structure and Function.

David A D Parry1

  • 1Institute of Fundamental Sciences and Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Methods in Enzymology
|January 23, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Advances in intermediate filament protein research rely on online sequence databases and data mining. Computational methods are key to understanding protein structure and function, but require careful interpretation and integrated approaches.

Keywords:
Heptad and hendecad substructureIF chain assemblyIF secondary and tertiary structureInterchain ionic interactionsMutationsSequence periodicitiesStructural/functional motifs

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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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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Intermediate filament proteins are crucial for cellular structure and function.
  • Significant progress in understanding these proteins has been made over the last two decades.
  • Online amino acid sequence databases are vital resources for this research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of computational and graphical methodologies in analyzing protein sequences.
  • To emphasize the need for recognizing the limitations of current analytical techniques.
  • To advocate for a coordinated, multi-method approach to studying protein structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing online amino acid sequence databases.
  • Applying data mining approaches for sequence analysis.
  • Developing and employing computational and graphical methodologies.
  • Integrating a suite of methods for comprehensive analysis.

Main Results:

  • High-quality sequence data is available.
  • Computational methodologies are critical for deciphering sequence features related to protein structure and function.
  • A coordinated approach using multiple methods is often necessary for problem-solving.
  • Interpretation of results and hypothesis generation are essential final steps.

Conclusions:

  • Continued development of data mining methods will enhance understanding of protein structure-function relationships.
  • Careful and conservative interpretation of data is crucial for meaningful progress.
  • Future research will likely yield deeper insights into intermediate filament proteins.