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Related Concept Videos

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments01:19

The Structure of Intermediate Filaments

3.8K
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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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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Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments01:18

Assembly of Cytoskeletal Filaments

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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...
16.7K
Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments01:35

Disassembly of Intermediate Filaments

2.0K
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

3.6K
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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Updated: May 28, 2025

Imaging Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules with 2-dimensional Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy
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Intermediate filaments and their associated molecules.

Jing Gao1, Fumihiko Nakamura1

  • 1School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.

Journal of Biomedical Research
|February 11, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human intermediate filaments (IFs) provide mechanical support and regulate cell migration and tumor growth. This review catalogs IFs and associated proteins (IFAPs), detailing their functions and disease links.

Keywords:
cell mechanicsintermediate filamentintermediate filament-associated proteinsmechanotransductionposttranslational modification

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

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Intermediate filaments (IFs) are crucial cytoskeletal polymers in human cells, derived from six gene families.
  • IFs provide mechanical stability to the cytoplasm and nucleus, with emerging roles in dynamic cellular processes.
  • Recent studies highlight IFs' involvement in cell migration, mechanotransduction, and tumor progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a comprehensive catalog of all human IF genes and IF-associated proteins (IFAPs).
  • To detail the names, sizes, functions, and associated human diseases for IFs and IFAPs.
  • To provide links to external databases for further information on protein structure, localization, and pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review and data compilation.
  • Integration of information from UniProt and the Protein Atlas database.
  • Cross-referencing gene families, protein functions, and disease associations.

Main Results:

  • A catalog of human IF genes and IFAPs with detailed attributes has been compiled.
  • Functional roles of IFs and IFAPs in cellular mechanics, migration, and disease are outlined.
  • Links to extensive protein and disease databases are provided for further research.

Conclusions:

  • The catalog serves as a foundational resource for understanding IF biology and IF-mediated mechanotransduction.
  • Identified gaps in current characterization will guide future research directions.
  • This work facilitates a deeper understanding of IFs' roles in health and disease.