title: Spectraplakins: master orchestrators of cytoskeletal dynamics.
abstract: The dynamics of different cytoskeletal networks are coordinated to bring about many fundamental cellular processes, from neuronal pathfinding to cell division. Increasing evidence points to the importance of spectraplakins in integrating cytoskeletal networks. Spectraplakins are evolutionarily conserved giant cytoskeletal cross-linkers, which belong to the spectrin superfamily. Their genes consist of multiple promoters and many exons, yielding a vast array of differential splice forms with distinct functions. Spectraplakins are also unique in their ability to associate with all three elements of the cytoskeleton: F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. Recent studies have begun to unveil their role in a wide range of processes, from cell migration to tissue integrity.
authors.affiliation: The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Suozzi
authors.forename: Xiaoyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013049:Spectrin / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D013049:Spectrin