Intermediate Filaments and the Plasma Membrane
- Jonathan C.R. Jones1,
- Chen Yuan Kam2,
- Robert M. Harmon2,
- Alexandra V. Woychek1,
- Susan B. Hopkinson1 and
- Kathleen J. Green2
- 1The School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164
- 2Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Correspondence: jcr.jones{at}vetmed.wsu.edu
Abstract
A variety of intermediate filament (IF) types show intricate association with plasma membrane proteins, including receptors and adhesion molecules. The molecular basis of linkage of IFs to desmosomes at sites of cell–cell interaction and hemidesmosomes at sites of cell–matrix adhesion has been elucidated and involves IF-associated proteins. However, IFs also interact with focal adhesions and cell-surface molecules, including dystroglycan. Through such membrane interactions, it is well accepted that IFs play important roles in the establishment and maintenance of tissue integrity. However, by organizing cell-surface complexes, IFs likely regulate, albeit indirectly, signaling pathways that are key to tissue homeostasis and repair.
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