Plectin affects cell viscoelasticity at small and large deformations.

ABSTRACT: Plectin is a giant protein of the plakin family that cross-links the cytoskeleton of mammalian cells. It is expressed in virtually all tissues, and its dysfunction is associated with various diseases such as skin blistering. There is evidence that plectin regulates the mechanical integrity of the cytoskeleton in diverse cell and tissue types. However, it is unknown how plectin modulates the mechanical response of cells depending on the frequency and amplitude of mechanical loading. Here we demonstrate the role of plectin in the viscoelastic properties of fibroblasts at small and large deformations by quantitative single-cell compression measurements. To identify the importance of plectin, we compared the mechanical properties of wild-type (Plec^+/+) fibroblasts and plectin knocko

SUBMITTER: Conboy JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12821017 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature