The keratin-desmosome scaffold: pivotal role of desmosomes for keratin network morphogenesis.

The keratin-desmosome scaffold: pivotal role of desmosomes for keratin network morphogenesis.
Cell Mol Life Sci. 2019 Jun 26;:
Authors: Moch M, Schwarz N, Windoffer R, Leube RE
Abstract
Desmosome-anchored keratin intermediate filaments (KFs) are essential for epithelial coherence. Yet, desmosomal KF attachment and network organization are still unexplored in vivo. We, therefore, monitored KF network morphogenesis in fluorescent keratin 8 knock-in murine embryos revealing keratin enrichment at newly formed desmosomes followed by KF formation, KF elongation and KF fusion. To examine details of this process and its coupling to desmosome formation, we studied fluorescent keratin and desmosomal protein reporter dynamics in the periphery of expanding HaCaT keratinocyte colonies. Less than 3 min after the start of desmosomal proteins clustering non-filamentous keratin enriched at these sites followed by KF formation and elongation. Subsequently, desmosome-anchored KFs merged into stable bundles generating a rim-and-spokes system consisting of subcortical KFs connecting desmosomes to each other and radial KFs connecting desmosomes to the cytoplasmic KF network. We conclude that desmosomes are organizing centers for the KF cytoskeleton with a hitherto unknown nucleation capacity.
PMID: 31243490 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS - June 25, 2019 Category: Cytology Authors: Moch M, Schwarz N, Windoffer R, Leube RE Tags: Cell Mol Life Sci Source Type: research