Vimentin filaments integrate low-complexity domains in a complex helical structure.
Nat Struct Mol Biol
; 31(6): 939-949, 2024 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38632361
ABSTRACT
Intermediate filaments (IFs) are integral components of the cytoskeleton. They provide cells with tissue-specific mechanical properties and are involved in numerous cellular processes. Due to their intricate architecture, a 3D structure of IFs has remained elusive. Here we use cryo-focused ion-beam milling, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography to obtain a 3D structure of vimentin IFs (VIFs). VIFs assemble into a modular, intertwined and flexible helical structure of 40 α-helices in cross-section, organized into five protofibrils. Surprisingly, the intrinsically disordered head domains form a fiber in the lumen of VIFs, while the intrinsically disordered tails form lateral connections between the protofibrils. Our findings demonstrate how protein domains of low sequence complexity can complement well-folded protein domains to construct a biopolymer with striking mechanical strength and stretchability.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Vimentina
/
Filamentos Intermedios
/
Microscopía por Crioelectrón
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nat Struct Mol Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suiza
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos