Opposites attract: Crosstalk between vimentin and microtubules - mechanical stability vs. dynamic adaptability | CROSSTALK | Proyecto | Ficha informativa | HORIZON | CORDIS

Objetivo

The cytoskeleton is mainly composed of actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. It is fundamentally important for many cellular processes, which is reflected in its morphological and functional diversity. In the past, in-depth analysis of actin and microtubule networks made it possible to reconstitute their diversity in vitro with astonishing precision. This enabled a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying actin and microtubule network formation, which are the basis for many cellular processes.
In contrast, our knowledge of intermediate filaments is still in its infancy, and we are far from rebuilding complex intermediate filament networks and their interactions with other cytoskeletal elements in vitro. As intermediate filaments are a major determinant of cellular resilience against mechanical stress and their mutations associate with diseases, detailed insight into intermediate filament network formation and properties will represent a milestone in cytoskeletal research.
The proposed project will be a major step in this direction. We focus on vimentin, the most ubiquitous member of the intermediate filament family. We will investigate the role of vimentin-microtubule crosstalk as well as the relation between network morphology and mechanical stress. How do these networks provide cells with mechanical stability, while being able to rapidly change their morphology? Through a combination of biochemical, structuring, and mechanical methods we will address this question, which is relevant in many biological systems – from subcellular structures to tissues and organisms.
In this way, CROSSTALK will pave the way towards a clearer picture of this heavily understudied cytoskeletal filament. It aims at integrated, mechanistic insight into the organization and (mechanical) functions of vimentin and its interactions with microtubules, which form the basis for understanding its role in many higher-order physiological and pathological processes.