Vimentin intermediate filaments stabilize dynamic microtubules by direct interactions

Abstract The cytoskeleton determines cell mechanics and lies at the heart of important cellular functions. Growing evidence suggests that manifold tasks rely on interactions between its filamentous components—actin filaments, intermediate microtubules. However, nature these their impact cytoskeletal dynamics are largely unknown. Here, we show in a reconstituted vitro system vimentin filaments stabilize microtubules against depolymerization support microtubule rescue. To understand stabilizing effects, directly measure interaction forces individual filaments. Combined with numerical simulations, our observations provide detailed insight into physical how they affect dynamics. Thus, describe an additional, direct mechanism by which cells establish fundamental cross talk components alongside linker proteins. Moreover, suggest strategy to estimate binding energy tubulin dimers within lattice.