RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Stabilize Dynamic Microtubules by Direct Interactions
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2020.05.20.106179
DO 10.1101/2020.05.20.106179
A1 Laura Schaedel
A1 Charlotta Lorenz
A1 Anna V. Schepers
A1 Stefan Klumpp
A1 Sarah Köster
YR 2020
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2020/05/20/2020.05.20.106179.abstract
AB The cytoskeleton determines cell mechanics and lies at the heart of important cellular functions. Growing evidence suggests that the manifold tasks of the cytoskeleton rely on the interactions between its filamentous components, known as actin filaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. However, the nature of these interactions and their impact on cytoskeletal dynamics are largely unknown. Here, we show in a re-constituted in vitro system that vimentin intermediate filaments stabilize microtubules against depolymerization and support microtubule rescue. To understand these stabilizing effects, we directly measure the interaction forces between individual microtubules and vimentin filaments. Combined with numerical simulations, our observations provide detailed insight into the physical nature of the interactions and how they affect microtubule dynamics. Thus, we describe an additional, direct mechanism for cells to establish the fundamental cross-talk of cytoskeletal components alongside linker proteins. Moreover, we suggest a novel strategy to estimate the binding energy of tubulin dimers within the microtubule lattice.Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.