Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

Formation of Intermediate Filaments

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...

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

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...

Types of Intermediate Filaments

Types of Intermediate Filaments

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...

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

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...

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Adaptability of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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...

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Neutrophils and NETs in Pathophysiology and Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

International journal of molecular sciences·2025

Same author

Lamin A/C Expression in Hematopoietic Cells Declines During Human Aging and Constrains Atherosclerosis in Mice.

Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology·2025

Same author

Role of lamin A/C on dendritic cell function in antiviral immunity.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2024

Same author

Synthetically derived BiAux modulates auxin co-receptor activity to stimulate lateral root formation.

Plant physiology·2024

Same author

Bacteria-instructed B cells cross-prime naïve CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells triggering effective cytotoxic responses.

EMBO reports·2023

Same author

CD4 T-Cell Subsets and the Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

International journal of molecular sciences·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 21, 2025

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

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

Published on: March 6, 2018

Recent Advances in Intermediate Filaments-Volume 1.

Angela Saez^1,2, Jose M Gonzalez-Granado^1,3,4,5

¹LamImSys Lab, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

|May 28, 2022

Summary

This special issue highlights recent advances in intermediate filaments, building upon the foundational knowledge from the first edition. Explore key research and discoveries in this crucial area of molecular biology.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications

Published on: May 18, 2017

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

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

Published on: May 5, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 21, 2025

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

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

Published on: March 6, 2018

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications

Isolation of Intermediate Filament Proteins from Multiple Mouse Tissues to Study Aging-associated Post-translational Modifications

Published on: May 18, 2017

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

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

Published on: May 5, 2022

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are a fundamental component of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells.
IFs play critical roles in maintaining cellular structure, mechanical resilience, and cell-cell/cell-matrix interactions.
Dysregulation of IFs is implicated in various human diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and certain cancers.

Discussion:

The second edition of the Special Issue on Recent Advances in Intermediate Filaments aims to consolidate and expand upon the knowledge presented in the first edition.
It provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research, methodologies, and discoveries in the field of intermediate filaments.
The collection covers diverse aspects, from the structural dynamics of IF proteins to their involvement in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis.

Key Insights:

Recent research has uncovered novel functions of intermediate filaments beyond structural support.
Advances in imaging and genetic techniques have enabled deeper insights into IF assembly, dynamics, and regulation.
The therapeutic potential of targeting intermediate filaments in disease is an emerging area of investigation.

Outlook:

Future research will likely focus on the intricate regulatory networks controlling IF organization and function.
Exploring the interplay between intermediate filaments and other cellular components will be crucial for understanding complex biological processes.
Developing targeted therapeutic strategies based on intermediate filament modulation holds promise for treating associated diseases.