Plectin: Proteins and Enzymes

Plectin, a 500-kDa intermediate filament binding protein, is localized to the cytoplasm and acts to both stabilize and give strength to cells via cross-linking (1). Plectin cross-links intermediate filaments to microtubules and microfilaments, and anchors intermediate filaments to the plasma and nuclear membranes (2,3). Plectin binds many proteins, including actin, vimentin, and Lamin B. Phosphorylation by PKA or PKC results in decreased binding to Lamin B, and phosphorylation by PKA enhances the plectin-vimentin interactions (4).