Abstract
The mechanical properties of vertebrate cells are largely defined by the system of intermediate filaments (IF). As part of a dense network, IF polymers are constantly rearranged and relocalized in the cell to fulfill their duty as cells change shape, migrate, or divide. With the development of new imaging technologies, such as photoconvertible proteins and super-resolution microscopy, a new appreciation for the complexity of IF dynamics has emerged. This review highlights new findings about the transport of IF, the remodeling of filaments by a process of severing and re-annealing, and the subunit exchange that occurs between filament precursors and a soluble pool of IF. We will also discuss the unique dynamic features of the keratin IF network. Finally, we will speculate about how the dynamic properties of IF are related to their functions.
🔬 Techniques
✨ Fluorophores
🧪 Sample Preparation
🔬 Cell Lines
🧪 Reagent Suppliers
🏛️ Research Organizations (ROR)
Affiliated research institutions:
📊 Figures
Figure 1
Model of assembly of homopolymeric intermediate filaments. A: IF polypeptides comprise a highly conserved central alpha-helical rod domain (in green) and varying non-helical N- and C-termini. B: IF di...
Figure 2
Mechanisms of IF turnover. A: During severing and re-annealing, IF break into pieces of short filaments (in green) that can fuse end-to-end with another filament (in red). B and C: Subunit exchange co...
Figure 3
Potential ATP-dependent mechanisms of subunit exchange. A: An ATP-dependent post-translational modification of an IF tetramer (example illustrated, phosphorylation) induces its dissociation from ULF. ...
Figure 4
The cycle of assembly/disassembly of keratin filaments. Soluble keratin oligomers assemble into particles (nucleation) at the cell periphery in proximity to focal adhesions (FA). These particles fuse ...
Figure images are served from the NIH/NLM PubMed Central Open Access Subset or Europe PMC; copyright remains with the publishers and authors.
💬 Discussion
0 commentsNo comments yet. Be the first to start a discussion!
Leave a Comment