Hierarchical Structure Controls Nanomechanical Properties of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments
Author(s)
Buehler, Markus J
Qin, Zhao
Date Issued
February 2010
Journal
ASME 2010 First Global Congress on NanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology
Publisher
ASME International
Citation
Buehler, Markus J., and Zhao Qin. “Hierarchical Structure Controls Nanomechanical Properties of Vimentin Intermediate Filaments.” ASME 2010 First Global Congress on NanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology (2010).
Version
Final published version
Abstract
Intermediate filaments (IFs), in addition to microtubules and microfilaments, are one of the three major components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, playing a vital role in mechanotransduction and in providing mechanical stability to cells (Figure 1) [1]. Despite the importance of IF mechanics for cell biology and cell mechanics, the structural basis for their mechanical properties remains unknown. Specifically, our understanding of fundamental filament properties, such as the basis for their great extensibility, stiffening properties, and their exceptional mechanical resilience remains limited. This has prevented us from answering fundamental structure-function relationship questions related to the biomechanical role of intermediate filaments, which is crucial to link structure and function in the protein material’s biological context.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Terms of Use
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Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1115/NEMB2010-13102
