[Expression of genes coding for the proteins of intermediate filaments in man]

Abstract

Cellular morphogenesis is a fundamental phenomenon in our understanding of eucaryotic cells. When, where and how these supra molecular structures generate during differentiation to cellular shape? It seems that the cytoskeleton alone is responsible for the formation and maintenance of the cellular shape. The supra molecular organisation of the intermediate filaments is specific for the cell type, the developmental stage and the type of differentiation. The human genes coding for the different subunits of these polymers have now all been isolated, cloned and characterised. The regulation of their expression is now being analysed.