Document Type
Article
Date
Fall 11-27-2020
Keywords
vimentin, intermediate filaments, cell mechanics, cytoskeleton, cell motility
Language
English
Funder(s)
National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health,
Funding ID
NSF-16 DMR -1720530, NIH GM096971, NIH GM1 36259, NSF MCB 2032861, T32 HL 7954-20
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by grants NSF-16 DMR-1720530 (PAJ), NIH GM096971 (PAJ), NIH GM136259 (PAJ), and NSF MCB 2032861 (AEP). DVI NRSA-T32 postdoctoral training grant number: 5 T32 HL 7954-20
Official Citation
Patteson AE, Carroll RJ, Iwamoto DV, Janmey PA. The vimentin cytoskeleton: when polymer physics meets cell biology. Phys Biol. 2020 Dec 1;18(1):011001. doi: 10.1088/1478-3975/abbcc2. PMID: 32992303; PMCID: PMC8240483.
Disciplines
Physics
Description/Abstract
The proper functions of tissues depend on the ability of cells to withstand stress and maintain shape. Central to this process is the cytoskeleton, comprised of three polymeric networks: F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (IFs). IF proteins are among the most abundant cytoskeletal proteins in cells; yet they remain some of the least understood. Their structure and function deviate from those of their cytoskeletal partners, F-actin and microtubules. IF networks show a unique combination of extensibility, flexibility and toughness that confers mechanical resilience to the cell. Vimentin is an IF protein expressed in mesenchymal cells. This review highlights exciting new results on the physical biology of vimentin intermediate filaments and their role in allowing whole cells and tissues to cope with stress.
Recommended Citation
Patteson AE, Carroll RJ, Iwamoto DV, Janmey PA. The vimentin cytoskeleton: when polymer physics meets cell biology. Phys Biol. 2020 Dec 1;18(1):011001. doi: 10.1088/1478-3975/abbcc2. PMID: 32992303; PMCID: PMC8240483.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
