Together with microtubules and microfilaments,
intermediate filaments (IFs) build up the cytoskeleton of almost all
eukaryotic cells. Cytoplasmic IFs are polypeptide filaments with a
diameter of about 10 nm, forming a dense network radiating from the nucleus
and extending to the plasma membrane.
On the basis of their composition
of specific polypeptide subunits, IFs are divided into five classes
comprising ten groups:
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