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Structure of Neural Intermediate Filaments

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Cytoskeleton of the Nervous System

Part of the book series: Advances in Neurobiology ((NEUROBIOL,volume 3))

Abstract

The basic structure of neural intermediate filament (IF) molecules is known, as are the modes of interaction that direct these molecules into highly specific and fully functional IF. It has been established that the IF molecule is a dimer and that its two constituent chains lie parallel to each other and in axial register. The molecule has a tripartite structure with a central, α-helical, coiled-coil–rich region (the rod domain) separating the head (the region N-terminal to the rod) from the tail (the region C-terminal to the rod). A regularity in the linear dispositions of the charged residues in the longest coiled-coil segments aids assembly through the formation of numerous intermolecular ionic interactions. By analogy with the well-defined surface lattice structure of trichocyte keratin (deduced from the extensive x-ray diffraction data available), the surface lattice structure of neural IF can also be deduced, primarily from the pattern of cross-links induced between molecules. Using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and cryo-tomographic data, the neural IF are likely to have a four-protofibril structure containing 32 chains in section. Assembly occurs through a rapid lateral aggregation of about eight tetramers to form a unit-length-filament (ULF), with each of these tetramers consisting of a half-staggered, antiparallel pair of molecules. Elongation occurs through the axial aggregation of ULF to form immature IF about 16 nm in diameter and many micrometers in length. Radial compaction then takes place resulting in close packing of the molecular filaments and the formation of IF with diameter in the range 8–12 nm.

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Abbreviations

IF:

Intermediate filament

STEM:

Scanning transmission electron microscopy

DST:

Disulfosuccinimidyl tartrate

NF-L, NF-M, NF-H:

Neurofilament-light, -medium and -heavy chain respectively

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Fundamental Sciences and Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    David A.D. Parry

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  1. David A.D. Parry
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Correspondence to David A.D. Parry .

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  1. Psychiatric Research, Nathan S. Kline Institute for, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, 10962, New York, USA

    Ralph A. Nixon

  2. Psychiatric Research, Nathan S. Kline Institute for, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, 10962, New York, USA

    Aidong Yuan

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Parry, D.A. (2011). Structure of Neural Intermediate Filaments. In: Nixon, R., Yuan, A. (eds) Cytoskeleton of the Nervous System. Advances in Neurobiology, vol 3. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6787-9_7

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