Hepatic stellate cells express synemin, a protein bridging intermediate filaments to focal adhesions.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

In the liver, stellate cells play several important (patho)physiological roles. They express a broad but variable spectrum of intermediate filament (IF) proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and functions of the intermediate filament protein synemin in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods

In isolated and cultured rat HSCs, synemin expression was examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. Protein-protein interaction between synemin and possible binding partners was investigated by co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy.

Results

Expression of synemin was significantly downregulated with increased culture time. In 1-day cultured HSCs, synemi

SUBMITTER: Uyama N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1860035 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature