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A rim-and-spoke hypothesis to explain the biomechanical roles for cytoplasmic intermediate filament networks

Quinlan, R.A.; Schwartz, N.; Windoffer, R.; Richardson, C.; Hawkins, T.; Broussard, J.A.; Green, K.J.; Leube, R.

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Authors

N. Schwartz

R. Windoffer

C. Richardson

J.A. Broussard

K.J. Green

R. Leube



Abstract

Textbook images of keratin intermediate filament (IF) networks in epithelial cells and the functional compromization of the epidermis by keratin mutations promulgate a mechanical role for this important cytoskeletal component. In stratified epithelia, keratin filaments form prominent radial spokes that are focused onto cell-cell contact sites, i.e. the desmosomes. In this Hypothesis, we draw attention to a subset of keratin filaments that are apposed to the plasma membrane. They form a rim of filaments interconnecting the desmosomes in a circumferential network. We hypothesize that they are part of a rim-and-spoke arrangement of IFs in epithelia. From our review of the literature, we extend this functional role for the subplasmalemmal rim of IFs to any cell, in which plasma membrane support is required, provided these filaments connect directly or indirectly to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, cytoplasmic IF networks physically link the outer nuclear and plasma membranes, but their participation in mechanotransduction processes remain largely unconsidered. Therefore, we also discuss the potential biomechanical and mechanosensory role(s) of the cytoplasmic IF network in terms of such a rim (i.e. subplasmalemmal)-and-spoke arrangement for cytoplasmic IF networks.

Citation

Quinlan, R., Schwartz, N., Windoffer, R., Richardson, C., Hawkins, T., Broussard, J., …Leube, R. (2017). A rim-and-spoke hypothesis to explain the biomechanical roles for cytoplasmic intermediate filament networks. Journal of Cell Science, 130(20), 3437-3445. https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.202168

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 2, 2017
Online Publication Date Oct 15, 2017
Publication Date Oct 15, 2017
Deposit Date Aug 11, 2017
Publicly Available Date Oct 15, 2018
Journal Journal of Cell Science
Print ISSN 0021-9533
Electronic ISSN 1477-9137
Publisher The Company of Biologists
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 130
Issue 20
Pages 3437-3445
DOI https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.202168

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