Invited Talk

The Keratin-Desmosome-Hemidesmosome Scaffold

University Hospital Aachen, AöR, The Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy (MOCA), Pauwelsstraße 30 52074 Aachen, Germany

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Keratin intermediate filaments are hallmark features of the epithelial cytoskeleton. They are anchored to desmosomes at cell-cell adhesion sites and to hemidesmosomes at cell-extracellular matrix adhesions forming a transcellular network that is firmly attached to the extracellular fiber system. The 3D architecture of the resulting scaffold correlates with epithelial tissue specification and is determined by the isotype diversity of its molecular components. The underlying mechanisms of the scaffold’s morphogenesis and plasticity are poorly understood. While assembly of filaments and junctions occurs independently, co-ordination of both are crucial for epithelial function. To uncover functions that are unique to the keratin-desmosome-hemidesmosome scaffold, we have disrupted the other major cytoskeletal networks. Such treatments resulted not only in drastic network re-organization but also induced altered cell mechanics and collective cell behavior. We will discuss these findings and their mechanobiological implications.