The cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells consists of three major fibrillar networks i.e. the microtubules, the microfilaments and the intermediate filaments. These different fibrillar protein structures, that play a role in both the stability and mobility of cells, can be distinguished on the basis of their morphological and cell biological properties.

The major constituents of the cytoskeleton

Whereas for microtubules and microfilaments involvement in various processes such as cell division, cell locomotion, cellular polarity, anchorage and protoplasmic streaming has been demonstrated, the function of intermediate filaments has not yet been elucidated, although a role in the maintance of cell integrity has become likely. Antibodies to specific cytoskeketal proteins are widely applicable in cell biology. Antibodies to intermediate filament proteins furthermore allow the differentiation of the major classes of tissues and their malignancies and have therefore become an important tool in tumor pathology.

Double-immunofluorescence of a heterogenous lung cancer cell culture stained for cytokeratin (red) and neurofilaments (green)