Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

4.4K
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...
4.4K
Formation of Intermediate Filaments00:57

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

3.3K
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...
3.3K
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

2.2K
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...
2.2K
Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

8.0K
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...
8.0K
Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:12

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

4.2K
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...
4.2K
Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

23.3K
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...
23.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mechanosensitive FHL2 tunes endothelial function via microtubule-actomyosin crosstalk.

The EMBO journal·2026
Same author

Keratin intermediate filaments mechanically position melanin pigments for genome photoprotection.

Nature cell biology·2025
Same author

Microtubule-Targeting Agents: Advances in Tubulin Binding and Small Molecule Therapy for Gliomas and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025
Same author

Microtubule-associated NAV3 regulates invasive phenotypes in glioblastoma cells.

Brain pathology (Zurich, Switzerland)·2024
Same author

Mechanosensitive FHL2 tunes endothelial function.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

The distinct localization of CDC42 isoforms is responsible for their specific functions during migration.

The Journal of cell biology·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
08:02

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.8K

Intermediate Filaments from Tissue Integrity to Single Molecule Mechanics.

Emma J van Bodegraven1, Sandrine Etienne-Manneville1

  • 1Cell Polarity, Migration and Cancer Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR3691 CNRS, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, F-75015 Paris, France.

Cells
|August 27, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial for cell mechanics, helping cells adapt to mechanical stress. This review explores how IFs integrate cell and tissue mechanics, highlighting their adaptive roles.

Keywords:
coiled-coil regioncytoskeletonelasticitymechanicsresiliencerigidityrod domainsstiffnessviscosity

More Related Videos

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

1.7K
A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton
05:47

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

16.2K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 22, 2025

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
08:02

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles

Published on: May 5, 2022

2.8K
Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles
07:47

Directly Measuring Forces Within Reconstituted Active Microtubule Bundles

Published on: May 10, 2022

1.7K
A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton
05:47

A Direct Force Probe for Measuring Mechanical Integration Between the Nucleus and the Cytoskeleton

Published on: July 29, 2018

16.2K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) are key components of the cytoskeleton alongside actin and microtubules.
  • IFs are composed of a diverse protein family, and their role in disease is increasingly linked to mechanical challenges.
  • In vitro studies reveal the remarkable resilience and physical properties of IFs and their networks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of IFs' contribution to cell and tissue mechanics.
  • To integrate in vitro findings on IF physical properties with their in vivo roles.
  • To highlight mechanisms by which IFs adapt cell and tissue mechanics.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing findings from cell biology, biophysics, and molecular biology.
  • Analysis of in vitro studies on single IFs and IF networks.
  • Discussion of gene expression, assembly dynamics, and post-translational modifications.

Main Results:

  • IFs play a major role in cellular adaptation, resistance, and response to mechanical challenges.
  • IFs act as master integrators of cell and tissue mechanics.
  • Changes in IFs can tune mechanical properties to adapt to environmental demands.

Conclusions:

  • Intermediate filaments are critical for maintaining cellular and tissue mechanical integrity.
  • Understanding IFs' mechanical roles offers insights into IF-associated diseases.
  • Modulating IF properties provides a mechanism for cellular adaptation to mechanical stress.