Nesprin-3 (green) recruits plectin (red) to the nuclear perimeter, where it connects to keratins (blue).
Nesprin-1 and -2 connect the outer nuclear membrane to the actin cytoskeleton. Now, a third nesprin is identified that lacks actin-binding abilities but instead links to IFs. This linkage requires plectin, a keratin-binding protein, as a go-between. The authors show that nesprin-3 recruits plectin to the nuclear perimeter, where both proteins are colocalized with keratins, a type of IF.
Plectin, in addition to its nuclear localization, has also been found at hemidesmosomes, where it links IFs to a matrix-bound integrin. The two linkages imply a continuous IF network from the matrix to the nucleus. Nesprins interact with inner nuclear membrane proteins that are...
