Role of the vimentin C-terminal domain in filament reorganization during cell division

The cell cytoskeleton is constituted by three main groups of structures, the actin filaments, microtubules and the intermediate filaments. The interplay between the three main cytoskeletal networks is determinant for cellular processes such as cell migration, signaling and mechanics, as well as during cell division. Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein that is broadly distributed. Vimentin forms an extended and dynamic filament network that plays diverse functions in a great variety of tissues and is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. The vimentin monomer is constituted by three domains, a α-helical rod domain flanked by the disordered N-terminal and C-terminal domains. The N-terminal domain of vimentin is essential for filament assembly, yet the role of the C-terminal domain is still controversial. Nevertheless, the C-terminal domain is known to mediate the interaction with other proteins and divalent cations..