Abstract
Intermediate filament associated proteins (IFAPs) coordinate interactions between intermediate filaments (IFs) and other cytoskeletal elements and organelles, including membrane-associated junctions such as desmosomes and hemidesmosomes in epithelial cells, costameres in striated muscle, and intercalated discs in cardiac muscle. IFAPs thus serve as critical connecting links in the IF scaffolding that organizes the cytoplasm and confers mechanical stability to cells and tissues. However, in recent years it has become apparent that IFAPs are not limited to structural crosslinkers and bundlers but also include chaperones, enzymes, adapters, and receptors. IF networks can therefore be considered scaffolding upon which associated proteins are organized and regulated to control metabolic activities and maintain cell homeostasis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 143-202 |
Number of pages | 60 |
Journal | Advances in Protein Chemistry |
Volume | 70 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2005 |
Funding
The authors would like to thank Spiro Getsios for critical reading of the manuscript and Ron Liem and Bishr Omary for helpful discussions, and also our colleagues who shared information prior to its publication. Work in the authors' laboratories is supported by NIH grants RO1 DK60589 , RO1 HL067016, PO1 HL071643, PO1 DE12328 (project #3) to J. Jones and RO1AR41836, RO1 AR43380, and PO1 DE12328 (project #4) to K. Green.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry