Abstract:Intermediate filaments (IFs) are cytoskeletal protein filaments with an apparent diameter of around 10 nm, intermediate between microtubules (25 nm) and microfilaments (5-7 nm). IFs have been found to form multiple types of proteins in different tissues and are tissue-specifically expressed during organismal development. In animal cells, IFs maintain cell and tissue morphology by providing mechanical stability, and many different genes encoding IF proteins have been identified. In the 1980s, intermediate filaments in plant cells were initially demonstrated by some immunological evidences. In recent years, a number of IF proteins have been discovered in plants that perform the same functions as animal IF. IF proteins can regulate gene expression by modulating the lamin-chromatin network. In this paper, we review the progress and results of the study of IF in plant cells, and a comprehensive and in-depth study of IF proteins in plants will be of great significance for the exploration of cytoskeletal functions.
