Desmin and Intermediate Filaments in Muscle Cells

摘要: With electron microscopy, a morphological class of filaments with an average diameter 100 A has been identified in many vertebrate cells. These were initially referred to as intermediate since their is those the 60 actin and 250 microtubules nonmuscle cells 150 myosin muscle Presently, are commonly neurofilaments neurons, glial cells, 10 nm fibroblastic tonofilaments or keratin epiderimal epithelial skeletal, cardiac, smooth Due wide distribution similarity, it was originally believed that major subunit from these various sources would be highly conserved its amino acid sequence case tubulin. The recent isolation variety avian mammalian cell types enabled investigators characterize proteins different filament preparations determine extent homology. By number criteria including peptide mapping, antibody cross-reactivity, isoelectric point molecular weight, shown protein (desmin), fibroblasts, epidermal (keratins) distinct (Benitz et al. 1976; Dahl Bignami Davison 1977; Schachner Schlaepfer Franke 1978; Lazarides Balzer Milstone McGuire Freeman Starger Sun Green 1978).