Review abstract
Nature Cell Biology 6, 699 - 706 (2004)
doi:10.1038/ncb0804-699
Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments revealed as dynamic and multipurpose scaffolds
Pierre A. Coulombe1 & Pauline Wong1
Abstract
Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal polymers encoded by a large family of differentially expressed genes that provide crucial structural support in the cytoplasm and nucleus of higher eukaryotes. Perturbation of their function accounts for several genetically determined diseases in which fragile cells cannot sustain mechanical and non-mechanical stresses. Recent studies shed light on how this structural support is modulated to meet the changing needs of cells, and reveal a novel role whereby intermediate filaments influence cell growth and death through dynamic interactions with non-structural proteins.
- Pierre A. Coulombe and Pauline Wong are in the Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Correspondence to: Pauline Wong1 e-mail: coulombe@jhmi.edu
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Looking for a functionNature News and Views (01 Oct 1987)
Weaving a tangled web: the interconnected cytoskeletonNature Cell Biology News and Views (01 Sep 1999)
See all 7 matches for News And ViewsRESEARCH
Sphingosylphosphorylcholine regulates keratin network architecture and visco-elastic properties of human cancer cellsNature Cell Biology Letter (01 Sep 2003)
Targeted deletion of keratins 18 and 19 leads to trophoblast fragility and early embryonic lethalityThe EMBO Journal Article (02 Oct 2000)
See all 14 matches for Research
