Beschreibung:
The shape and mechanical properties of eukaryotic cells are determined by the cytoskeleton, composed of actin filaments, microtubules and intermediate filaments (IFs). Among these, IFs are considered to be the main determinants of cell stiffness and strength. The reason for this is that they can withstand much larger deformations than the other two filament classes. Previous studies have revealed a rim-and-spoke arrangement of IFs, suggesting that they are involved not only in themechanical stability of the cytoplasm but also of the plasma membrane. Therefore, the organization of IFs at the...