Filament proteins/A0292

Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IF), also known as A0292, can be divided into 5 subclasses based on their biochemical properties, immunologic specificity and tissue distribution: keratin filaments in epithelial cells, vimentin filaments in cells ...

Cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IF), also known as A0292, can be divided into 5 subclasses based on their biochemical properties, immunologic specificity and tissue distribution: keratin filaments in epithelial cells, vimentin filaments in cells of mesenchymal origin, desmin in muscle cells, glial filaments in astrocytes, and neurofilaments in neurons. The different types of intermediate filament proteins share common structural features. Neurofilaments are composed of three neuron-specific proteins with apparent molecular masses of 68 kDa (NFL), 125 kDa (NFM), and 200 kDa (NFH) on SDS-gel electrophoresis. The different sequence data show that the intermediate filament proteins contain a similar alpha-helical domain of conserved length capable of forming coiled-coils. Ina may form an independent structural network without the involvement of other neurofilaments or it may cooperate with NF-L to form the filamentous backbone to which NF-M and NF-H attach to form the cross-bridges. Neurofilaments are expressed at high levels throughout the brain. Homozygous mice are healthy and viable, and do not exhibit any obvious abnormalities; no defects in the nervous system were detected, including brain development, axon outgrowth, or guidance.