Description of target |
Vimentin belongs to the intermediate filament family (IF). Three major cytoskeletal filaments (IF along with microtubules and actin microfilaments) make up the cytoskeleton. Vimentin is the most widely expressed IF protein component. It is responsible for maintaining cell shape, integrity of the cytoplasm, and stabilizing cytoskeletal interactions. It is also involved in the immune response, and controls the transport of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-derived cholesterol from a lysosome to the site of esterification. It functions as an organizer of a number of critical proteins involved in attachment, migRation, and cell signaling. Vimentin can be phosphorylated by PAK (p21-activated kinase) at the S25, 38, 50, 65 and 72 at N-terminus. Mutations in this gene may cause a dominant, pulverulent cataract. |