title: Intermediate Filaments and the Plasma Membrane.
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.
authors.affiliation: The School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164.
authors.forename: Jonathan C R
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Chen Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kam
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.affiliation: The School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164.
authors.forename: Alexandra V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Woychek
authors.affiliation: The School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164.
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Hopkinson
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000378:metabolism*