Structural and regulatory functions of keratins

The diversity of epithelial functions is reflected by the expression of distinct keratin pairs that are responsible to protect epithelial cells against mechanical stress and to act as signaling platforms. The keratin cytoskeleton integrates these functions by forming a supracellular scaffold that co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental cell research 2007-06, Vol.313 (10), p.2021-2032
Main Authors: Magin, Thomas M., Vijayaraj, Preethi, Leube, Rudolf E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
14-3-3
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Animals
APOPTOSIS
CARCINOGENESIS
Cell adhesion & migration
CELL CYCLE
Cell Polarity - physiology
CELL PROLIFERATION
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - genetics
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic - metabolism
Cellular biology
Cytoskeleton - genetics
Cytoskeleton - metabolism
Cytoskeleton - pathology
Desmosomes - genetics
Desmosomes - metabolism
Desmosomes - pathology
DISEASES
Epidermolysis bullosa simplex
Epithelial Cells - metabolism
Epithelial Cells - pathology
Focal adhesion
Humans
Intermediate Filaments - genetics
Intermediate Filaments - metabolism
Intermediate Filaments - pathology
KERATIN
Keratins - genetics
Keratins - metabolism
KNOCK-OUT REACTIONS
Melanosome
MICROTUBULES
Molecular biology
PATHOLOGY
PHOSPHORYLATION
Proteins
Signal Transduction - physiology
Signaling
Stress, Mechanical
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Summary:The diversity of epithelial functions is reflected by the expression of distinct keratin pairs that are responsible to protect epithelial cells against mechanical stress and to act as signaling platforms. The keratin cytoskeleton integrates these functions by forming a supracellular scaffold that connects at desmosomal cell–cell adhesions. Multiple human diseases and murine knockouts in which the integrity of this system is destroyed testify to its importance as a mechanical stabilizer in certain epithelia. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the precise mechanisms responsible for assembly and disease pathology. In addition to these structural aspects of keratin function, experimental evidence accumulating in recent years has led to a much more complex view of the keratin cytoskeleton. Distinct keratins emerge as highly dynamic scaffolds in different settings and contribute to cell size determination, translation control, proliferation, cell type-specific organelle transport, malignant transformation and various stress responses. All of these properties are controlled by highly complex patterns of phosphorylation and molecular associations.
ISSN:0014-4827
1090-2422
DOI:10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.03.005