Roles for Ndel1 in keratin organization and desmosome function.

Keratin intermediate filaments form dynamic polymer networks that organize in specific ways dependent on the cell type, the stage of the cell cycle, and the state of the cell. In differentiated cells of the epidermis, they are organized by desmosomes, cell-cell adhesion complexes that provide essential mechanical integrity to this tissue. Despite this, we know little about how keratin organization is controlled and whether desmosomes locally regulate keratin dynamics in addition to binding preassembled filaments.

Roles for microtubules in the proliferative and differentiated cells of stratified epithelia.

While microtubule dynamics and organization have been extensively studied invitro, both biochemically and in cultured cells, recent work has begun to extend this into tissues ex vivo and organisms in vivo. Advances in genetic tools and imaging technology have allowed studies on the dynamics, function, and organization of microtubules in the stratified epithelia of the epidermis. Here, we discuss recent work that highlights the varied roles that microtubules play in supporting epidermal function.