Intermediate Filaments on the Move

In most vertebrate cells, intermediate filaments (IF) form a continuous structural network extending from the nuclear surface to the cell periphery. Their unique viscoelastic properties render them more resistant than either microtubules or microfilaments to deformation and other external physical stresses. Through a growing family of associated proteins (IFAPs), IF are now known to be connected to other cytoskeletal systems such as microtubules and microfilaments, and to specialized cell surface structures such as hemidesmosomes and focal adhesions. IFAPs contain multiple binding domains that facilitate the cross talk between the different cytoskeletal systems, resulting in their interdependence (Fuchs and Cleveland 1998; Fuchs and Yang 1999; Herrmann and Aebi 2000). Based on their physical properties and their subcellular organization, IF are considered to be the major contributors to the mechanical integrity of cells and tissues. Their importance...