What are the intermediate fibers?

Insect fibers are insoluble proteins that help create a cytoskeletal cell system, an inner frame that gives the cell its shape. These proteins are found in almost all multi -packed organisms. There are three basic types of fibers: thin fibers that are usually about 8 nanometers (nm) in diameter; middle fibers that diameter about 10 nm; and microtubules that measure about 25 nm. The intermediate fibers are usually stable and resistant due to their insolvency; They are often found in cells that require a lot of stress in some animals such as leather, muscles, hair and nails or claws.

There are five types of transient fibers categorized by their protein characteristics. Type I contains acid keratins and type II has basic keratins. In epithelial cells there are both type I fibers and type II, which also form hair and nails. Keratin medium fibers create intersections that bind cells together and create pairs that consist ofone basic and one acidic protein keratin. Desin proteins are found both in smooth and striped muscle cells, including heart muscles. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is found in neuroglia cells in the brain and spinal cord. Other parts of the peripheral nervous system contain peripheral proteins and the protein of vimentin is found in fibroblass or white blood cells and a thin layer of cells that line the interior of the blood vessels.

neurofilaments, which are proteins found in neurons, form type IV. Neurofilaments are built of three interconnected protofibrils and are the most abundant fibers of axons, long nerve cell fibers. This type of middle fiber determines the diameter of axons and dendrites, branches similar to the ends of the neuron that transmits electrical signals.

type in intermediate fibers are laminated or fibrous proteins found in the nucleus of the cell. Unlike other types that are allconsidered cytoskeletal, nucleosletal type fibers - the laminates form a net inside the inner membranes that surround the core. Lamins are involved in several important functions, including DNA synthesis and assembly and dismantling of membranes that close the nucleus during cell division.

Despite the differences of chemical and proteins in each type of intermediate fiber, everyone plays a similar role in providing a structured frame for cells. Mutations in intermediate fibers can cause various diseases, including Bullosa Simplex epidermolysis, blister and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.