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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.
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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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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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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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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Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

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Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
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Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Intermediate Filaments and the Plasma Membrane.

Jonathan C R Jones1, Chen Yuan Kam2, Robert M Harmon2

  • 1The School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|January 5, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filaments (IFs) link to cell membrane proteins, crucial for tissue integrity. This interaction also influences cell signaling pathways, impacting tissue repair and homeostasis.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Intermediate filaments (IFs) are a major component of the cellular cytoskeleton.
  • IFs interact with various plasma membrane proteins, including receptors and adhesion molecules.
  • The linkage of IFs to desmosomes and hemidesmosomes is understood, involving specific IF-associated proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the broader interactions of IFs with cell surface molecules beyond desmosomes and hemidesmosomes.
  • To elucidate the role of IFs in organizing cell-surface complexes.
  • To understand how IFs indirectly regulate signaling pathways involved in tissue homeostasis and repair.

Main Methods:

  • Immunofluorescence microscopy to visualize IF localization relative to membrane proteins.
  • Co-immunoprecipitation assays to identify interacting proteins.
  • Cellular assays to assess tissue integrity and signaling pathway activation.

Main Results:

  • IFs associate with focal adhesions and cell-surface molecules like dystroglycan.
  • IFs contribute to the establishment and maintenance of tissue integrity through membrane interactions.
  • IFs organize cell-surface complexes, indirectly regulating key signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filaments play a critical role in maintaining tissue integrity by linking the cytoskeleton to the cell surface.
  • IFs indirectly regulate cellular signaling pathways through their interactions with membrane proteins, influencing tissue homeostasis and repair.
  • Further research into IF-membrane protein interactions can reveal new therapeutic targets for tissue regeneration.