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

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Intermediate filament associated proteins

Kathleen J Green1, Michael Böhringer, Todd Gocken

  • 1Departments of Pathology and Dermatology and R.H. Lurie Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.

Advances in Protein Chemistry
|April 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAPs) are crucial for cell structure and mechanical stability. Beyond structural roles, IFAPs also regulate cell functions, acting as key hubs for cellular organization and homeostasis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAPs) link intermediate filaments (IFs) to cellular structures like junctions and organelles.
  • IFAPs are essential for maintaining the mechanical stability of cells and tissues.
  • Recent findings reveal IFAPs have diverse roles beyond structural linking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of IFAPs in cellular organization and function.
  • To highlight IFAPs' non-structural functions, including roles as chaperones, enzymes, adapters, and receptors.
  • To emphasize the significance of IF networks as regulatory platforms.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on IFAP functions.
  • Analysis of protein interaction networks involving IFAPs.
  • Investigation of IFAP involvement in cellular signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • IFAPs are confirmed to be involved in diverse cellular processes beyond structural support.
  • IFAPs function as chaperones, enzymes, adapters, and receptors, integrating various cellular activities.
  • IF networks serve as scaffolds for protein organization and regulation, impacting cell homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • IFAPs are critical regulators of cell homeostasis, with diverse functional roles.
  • The understanding of IFAPs has expanded from structural components to key regulatory hubs.
  • IF networks provide a platform for organizing and controlling cellular metabolic activities.

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