Effects of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments on the Structure and Dynamics of In Vitro Multicomponent Interpenetrating Cytoskeletal Networks

Phys Rev Lett. 2021 Sep 3;127(10):108101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.108101.

Abstract

We investigate the rheological properties of interpenetrating networks reconstituted from the main cytoskeletal components: filamentous actin, microtubules, and vimentin intermediate filaments. The elastic modulus is determined largely by actin, with little contribution from either microtubules or vimentin. However, vimentin dramatically impacts the relaxation, with even small amounts significantly increasing the relaxation time of the interpenetrating network. This highly unusual decoupling between dissipation and elasticity may reflect weak attractive interactions between vimentin and actin networks.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / chemistry
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Cells
  • Intermediate Filaments / chemistry*
  • Intermediate Filaments / metabolism
  • Microtubules / chemistry
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Rheology / methods
  • Vimentin / chemistry*
  • Vimentin / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Vimentin