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Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Using Microfluidics and Fluorescence Microscopy to Study the Assembly Dynamics of Single Actin Filaments and Bundles
Published on: May 5, 2022
Deciphering vimentin assembly: Bridging theoretical models and experimental approaches
1Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Center for Food and Bioconversions, and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, CALS, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The intricate assembly process of vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs), key components of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, has yet to be elucidated. In this work, we investigated the transition from soluble tetrameric vimentin units to mature 11-nm tubular filaments, addressing a significant gap in the understanding of IF assembly. Through a combination of theoretical modeling and analysis of experimental data, we propose a novel assembly sequence, emphasizing the role of helical turns and gap filling by soluble tetramers. Our findings shed light on the unique structural dynamics of vimentin and suggest broader implications for the general principles of IF formation.
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