anti-Vimentin, mAb (23H2)

Vimentin is a member of the intermediate filament family of proteins found in various non-epithelial cells, especially mesenchymal cells. Vimentin is responsible for maintaining cell shape, integrity of the cytoplasm, and stabilizing cytoskeletal interactions. Vimentin plays a significant role in supporting and anchoring the position of the organelles in the cytosol. Although most intermediate filaments are stable structures, vimentin also has a dynamic nature which is important when offering flexibility to the cell. Two monomers which have central α-helical domains, capped on each end by non-helical domains twist around each other to form a coiled-coil dimer. Two dimers then form a tetramer, which, in turn, form a sheet by interacting with other tetramers. There are some reports related to the biochemical function of intermediate filament network. The intracellular movement of LDL-derived cholesterol from the lysosome to the site of esterification is a vimentin-dependent process. A role for vimentin in mechanotransduction of shear stress has also been suggested. The mechanical stress of fluid shear on endothelial cells seems to trigger MAPK signaling pathways and stimulates proliferation. Vimentins are class-III intermediate filaments found in various non-epithelial cells, especially mesenchymal cells.