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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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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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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...
2.7K
Types of Intermediate Filaments01:31

Types of Intermediate Filaments

5.0K
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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Introduction to the Cytoskeleton01:33

Introduction to the Cytoskeleton

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Overview of the Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein filaments present within the cell, having three distinct filaments ̶   microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Each has characteristic features that distinguish them, including the dynamics of their assembly and disassembly, mechanical properties, polarity, and the type of molecular motors associated with them. Earlier, they were thought to be present only in eukaryotic cells; however, their...
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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
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Intermediate filaments and cellular mechanics.

Wolfgang H Goldmann1

  • 1Department of Physics, Biophysics Group, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, D-91052 Erlangen, Germany.

Cell Biology International
|October 6, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial cytoskeletal polymers providing cellular mechanical resistance. Mutations in IF-associated proteins cause diseases linked to tissue mechanical failure.

Keywords:
cellular mechanicsdesminfilamin Cintermediate filamentslamin (A/C)plectin

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Intermediate filaments (IFs) are a major cytoskeletal component.
  • IFs provide mechanical stability to cells and tissues.
  • They interact with other cytoskeletal networks like actin and microtubules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the mechanical role of intermediate filaments.
  • To identify key proteins involved in IF crosslinking.
  • To link IF-associated protein mutations to specific pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on intermediate filament structure and function.
  • Analysis of protein interaction networks involving IFs.
  • Correlation of genetic mutations with observed disease phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • Intermediate filaments resist tensile and compressive forces.
  • Proteins such as desmin, filamin C, plectin, and lamin (A/C) mediate IF crosslinking.
  • Mutations in these proteins result in pathologies affecting skin, skeletal, and cardiac muscle.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filaments are essential for cellular and tissue mechanical integrity.
  • Dysfunctional IF crosslinking proteins lead to diverse mechanical failure syndromes.
  • Understanding IFs is critical for diagnosing and treating associated diseases.