title: Intermediate filaments in biology and disease.
abstract: Intermediate filaments comprise a large heterogenous family of proteins in animal cells. Distinct from microfilaments and microtubules, they are a major component of the cytoskeleton and nuclear envelope. The expression of intermediate filament protein types is developmentally regulated and relatively cell type specific. Although there are at least five distinct classes of intermediate filament types, all the subunit proteins have similar structural features and appear to have envolved from some common gene ancestor. The cytoplasmic intermediate filaments exhibit a complex organization, forming associations with components of the nucleus, plasma membrane, and potentially other cytoplasmic structures such as microtubules. The specific function of this prominent cytoplasmic structure is currently unknown. However, the organization or expression of intermediate filaments is known to be altered in association with a variety of human diseases. Currently, specific antibodies to individual intermediate filament proteins are being used as an immunohistochemical aid for tumor typing in diagnostic pathology.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000502:physiology; D015388:Organelles / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000473:pathology; D014116:Toxicology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins