Intermediate Filaments and Polarization in the Intestinal Epithelium
Richard A Coch1, Rudolf E Leube2
1Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, Aachen 52074, Germany. rcoch@ukaachen.de.
Abstract:
The cytoplasmic intermediate filament cytoskeleton provides a tissue-specific three-dimensional scaffolding with unique context-dependent organizational features. This is particularly apparent in the intestinal epithelium, in which the intermediate filament network is localized below the apical terminal web region and is anchored to the apical junction complex. This arrangement is conserved from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. The review summarizes compositional, morphological and functional features of the polarized intermediate filament cytoskeleton in intestinal cells of nematodes and mammals. We emphasize the cross talk of intermediate filaments with the actin- and tubulin-based cytoskeleton. Possible links of the intermediate filament system to the distribution of apical membrane proteins and the cell polarity complex are highlighted. Finally, we discuss how these properties relate to the establishment and maintenance of polarity in the intestine.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Types of Intermediate Filaments
The Structure of Intermediate Filaments
Intermediate...
Formation of Intermediate Filaments
Polarity of the Cytoskeleton
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments
Keratin proteins, found at the cell periphery near cell junctions, undergo a cycle of assembly and disassembly. In Type...


